Disability advocates concerned following government’s proposed student behaviour suspension measures
Image: NSW Minister for Education, Prue Car. Image: Prue Car/Facebook
By JUSTIN COOPER
The NSW Department of Education’s newly proposed Student Behaviour Policy has left advocacy groups concerned over new measures, which could potentially allow extensions to student’s suspension periods.
The draft policy provides new measures for public school teachers and principles to manage student behaviour, which highlights suspensions and expulsion as safeguards.
Disability advocacy groups have criticised the state government for not properly considering the potential affects from the new measures on students with disability.
New policy to be implemented
On Thursday, the draft policy was provided to school leaders for the department to receive feedback before the policy’s introduction early next year.
Education Minister Prue Car explained the need for new measures to ensure safe working spaces for students and staff.
“Our schools must be safe learning environments and our staff must have the support and authority they need to manage disruptive and challenging student behaviours,” says Car.
Noting that the department has heard from schools that current procedures introduced by the former government were not satisfactory, Car affirms the policies will assist in providing “safe and respectful classrooms”.
“It’s important all students have a classroom environment that minimises disruptions, maximises teacher instruction time and enhances learning,” Car continued.
Groups call out suspension policy
Since the draft policies announcement, advocacy groups Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) and Family Advocacy denounced the new measure allowing principals to lengthen suspension periods.
Within a joint statement from both groups, they described the policy as “scapegoating students whilst evading the responsibility of NSW public schools to do better.”
“It’s extremely concerning that the government has sought only to consult with educator groups and unions and not disability advocacy organisations who hear firsthand the many issues that instigated the previous government’s Behaviour Policy measures,” noted the public statement.
Groups called out the new powers as being contradictory to statements by the Department of Education which previously condemned student suspension.
During a public hearing (no. 7, 7th of May 2021 ) of the Royal Commission Into Violence, Abuse, Neglect And Exploitation Of People With Disability, the Department said, “there is no evidence that suspension is an effective mechanism for improving or managing student behaviour.”
Additionally, the department noted how suspensions had been disproportionately affecting students with disabilities and Aboriginal students. The department said they were to “provide new approaches for addressing complex, challenging and unsafe behaviour.”
The statement from CYDA and Family Advocacy said the state government are “stuck in the dark ages,” expressing their disappointment with the policy for not addressing the needs for students with disability.
Groups are calling upon the government to stall the policy’s introduction until further consultation is conducted with stakeholders.
The new policy received advice from multiple education and teaching groups, including the NSW Teachers Federation, Special Educations Principals Association, and Leaders Association.
The Department of Education is to provide NSW public schools with the new policy during term 4 this year, in order for it to be familiarised before being implemented in term 1, 2024.
