Teaching - a dangerous profession !

Figures just released  reveal that in the first half of this year there were fifty seven serious incidents of students causing harm to their teachers - and that was just in the Illawarra and southern area alone.  It is likely that this figure is actually much higher because many teachers do not report incidents because to do so merely invites further retaliation.

It seems to be a daily occurrence for teachers to be sworn at and abused verbally by their students, but this can escalate into punching, pushing and shoving and other forms of physical attack.   One teacher was sprayed with urine.  Another was threatened with a replica pistol and teachers cars are regular targets for revenge damage.

Teaching used to be an orderly, respected profession - but that was back in the days when parents maintained discipline in the home and insisted on their children showing respect to others.  Discipline seems to be a thing of the past now, and the one thing children learn very quickly is the mantra of  " kid's rights ".
They are very aware that a parent can be charged for applying any form of corporal punishment, and that attempting to impose a curfew or other rules are usually denied by magistrates and judges.   Children of a young age are free to leave the family home when they please, and if they refuse to live under the family roof and claim " abuse " they will be supported by the state.

These deteriorating standards are having an effect on teacher placement.   There are no problems attracting teachers to " good " schools in " nice "  suburbs, but schools deemed to be " bad " and located " on the wrong side of the tracks " need a form of bribery to attract staff.   Do the required time in a disadvantaged school and you get your next choice of placement as the reward !

Now there is a move to make parents and teachers legally and financially responsible when children under their control bully others.    It seems likely that victims who suffer damage from bullying will be able to sue both the parent and the teacher of the bully - and be awarded compensation - because those people failed to apply measures to stop it happening.

This seems to be an impossible requirement unless parents and teachers have the right to maintain discipline restored.  As things stand, the greatest penalty a student can face is suspension from school for a limited period.  Many accept that with glee - as an unexpected holiday.  It certainly does nothing to improve behaviour.

We are in danger of losing teaching as an honourable profession of choice for those selecting a career.  If financial risk is added to physical danger in teaching school - then fewer people will be making that decision .
Common sense must enter the equation. - or we could find ourselves following what is happening in some American schools - where uniformed armed police are part of the school administration body.    They are tasked with maintaining order, detecting illicit drug use and controlling entry and exit points to deter intruders.

It seems that the " civil liberties " pendulum has swung too far in one direction !