Reported cases of violent incidents in South Australia’s public schools increased by 50% in 2023, Education Department data shows.
Morre than 13,000 ‘critical incidents’ were reported last year, including rising rates of e-crime, the possession and use of weapons, property damage, and sexual behaviour.
The good news, says SA Education Minister Blair Boyer, is that reported incidents in the first half of 2024 have decreased compared to last year – a welcome development he attributes to the banning of mobile phones in the state’s public schools.
However, some experts say the issue of violent incidents in schools is part of a broader social issue that needs addressing at a more fundamental level.
Dr Ben Lohmeyer, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Flinders University, is an expert in youth violence. He says a “whole of education community approach” would be a good start.
“The South Australian Government policy Connected: A Community Approach To Bullying Prevention Within The School Gates And Beyond recognises what research shows, that violence and bullying in our schools are part of a broader social issue,” MCERA quoted Dr Lohmeyer as saying.
“A whole of educational community approach looks at individual factors, social dynamics, and social and cultural factors that contribute to violence and bullying in schools.”
Dr Lohmeyer said young people continue to face a raft of serious challenges that negatively impact their feelings and behaviour.
“It has been widely reported that in South Australia we are in a cost-of-living crisis, a housing crisis, a ramping crisis, and are still in the shadow of a pandemic and a climate emergency,” he said.
“This social context, and the strain it places on families, puts pressure on children and young people and reduces the support available to them.”
Dr Lohmeyer said it is therefore unsurprising to see young people acting aggressively or see a rise in other issues like loneliness.
“Rather than focusing solely on bad behaviour or access to social media, solving the problem of violence and bullying in schools will need to address the social factors putting pressure on children, young people, families and schools.”
In the meantime, the University of Adelaide is rolling out free short courses to help teachers manage their classrooms and improve student behaviour.
The new evidence-based microcredential course – released last week following a $3m investment by the Federal Government – will upskill teachers to create safe, orderly, and inclusive classrooms.