New data shows almost 80,000 suspensions were issued to students at Queensland state schools last year. The Education Minister says she is uncomfortable with that number and wants to create a new strategy for schools to tackle student behaviour.
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00:00 Repeatedly disciplined and repeatedly let down.
00:06 This Queensland mother says her young son has been suspended at least 10 times for behaviour linked to his disability.
00:13 I think he feels a great sense of shame because he knows he's done the wrong thing but at the time I guess he just cannot manage what's happening and he often gets very upset and cries.
00:24 She knows schools are under pressure but the punishment significantly impacts his learning.
00:30 They haven't got any alternatives, they have to suspend him. It's really heartbreaking as a parent to see a child excluded.
00:37 Her son is not alone. New data shows almost 80,000 suspensions were issued in state schools last year, a 5% jump on the year before.
00:47 It's actually still below pre-COVID levels in the numbers who are suspended, it's kids with disabilities and First Nations students who feature highest.
00:56 It's unfortunate that the suspension levels remain so high when the government says that it has been supporting the kids and the classroom teachers.
01:08 Almost 20,000 suspensions were issued for physical aggression followed by almost 12,000 for defying teachers and almost 11,000 for abusive language.
01:20 Students can be disruptive in their classrooms and that our members also experience physical and verbal aggression in our classroom.
01:27 Amid growing concerns, the Minister has brought together teachers, parents and advocates to better address the problem.
01:34 You know there will be some compromises, those kids all deserve the same rights as any other but we have to look after our teachers as well.
01:42 The aim, to create a new strategy for discipline by the October election. For some, the answer is clear.
01:49 There needs to be more education about disabilities in state schools and more funding for classrooms.
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