Teachers call to be classed like police as classroom violence surges

The Queensland Teachers Union is advocating for teachers to be classified as public officers under the criminal code. This classification would result in increased penalties for assaults against teachers, as classroom violence and aggression have been on the rise. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek affirmed the government's commitment to enhancing safety in Queensland classrooms.

Allan Zirbel, a former soldier, security worker, and ambulance officer, who taught high school for a decade, credits classroom stress for his health decline, including an angina attack and subsequent heart surgery. Zirbel advocates for the proposed changes to the criminal code, which would double the maximum penalty for teacher assaults from seven years to 14 years.

The Queensland Teachers Union president, Cresta Richardson, supports the proposed changes, noting that teacher assaults would receive more attention under the current adult crime laws. Bethany Bala, an alternate provider teacher, attributes student behavior issues to excessive curriculum demands and the resulting anger and violence.

Bala welcomes the QTU's proposal and emphasizes the need for change, even if it's not in response to a violent incident. Lockyer MP Jim McDonald, who previously worked as a police officer, endorses the union's proposed changes based on his experiences dealing with school incidents, including being spat on, punched, and having a knife pulled on him.

The Queensland government has increased funding for safety measures, including an additional $45 million per year for classroom safety and $57 million for workplace health and safety officers.