Call To Expel Students Who Assault Teachers

The Minister for Education must lead from the front and immediately expel any student who threatens or assaults a teacher.

"He has the power to do so and must use it”, Shadow Education Minister Terry Mills said today.

"An internal suspension is not a strong response and sends a confusing message to students and leaves teachers exposed. When respect for the most basic of values is violently challenged swift and decisive action must ensue in order to maintain law and order.

"There was a time when it was shocking for a student to backchat or swear at a teacher. I am prepared to stand up against an alarming trend and call for others to join me in drawing a line in the sand.

"Only weeks ago local youths attacked Police and Ambulance Officers in Howard Springs. On another occasion recently a primary student threatened to kill a teacher, now two teachers have been attacked.

"This is not the time for the faint hearted our society requires a clear and swift response.

"Government must understand that fair but firm measures are required to establish a respect for the values and principles that hold our society together.

"To respond ambiguously diminishes respect for law and fosters disorder.

"A tough love approach must be employed in the interests of all other Territory students.

"Like it or not parents are accountable for their children's actions, the actions of our leaders either enhance or diminish this fact.

"Sadly, for many parents, it is enormously difficult to accept this weight of responsibility but that is precisely where support needs to be focussed.

"Further to take strong and decisive action reinforces the underlying principles that hold a community together in this case that violence is unacceptable.”

2006-05-09