Queensland Teachers Urge Government to Focus on Attracting and Retaining Staff Amid Ongoing Classrooms Safety Concerns

Queensland teachers are calling on the state government to prioritize attracting and retaining staff after a recent funding announcement aimed at improving students' behavior. The $45 million annual behavior boost program, introduced six months ago, will receive an additional $2.5 million to support professional development for teachers in key behavior management roles. However, the Queensland Teachers' Union argues that funding should focus on addressing the shortage of teachers and school leaders, which is exacerbating the issue of classroom safety. Teachers have shared harrowing stories of violence in the classroom, including being bitten, hit, and bashed, and are demanding immediate action to improve safety for educators.

Key Takeaways:

• Queensland teachers are urging the state government to focus on attracting and retaining staff after a recent funding announcement for the Behavior Boost program.
• The $45 million annual program will receive an additional $2.5 million to support professional development for teachers in key behavior management roles.
• The Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) president, Cresta Richardson, has emphasized that attracting and retaining staff should be the "key priority right now" for the government.
• Teachers have shared disturbing stories of violence in the classroom, including being bitten, hit, and bashed, and are calling for immediate action to improve safety for educators.
• The QTU reports that Queensland state schools are running out of teachers and school leaders.
• Teachers will continue protesting outside of school hours to advocate for better pay and working conditions.

Statistics:

• $45 million: the annual funding allocated for the Behavior Boost program.
• $2.5 million: the additional funding allocated to support professional development for teachers in key behavior management roles.
• Thousands: the number of schools across Queensland that will receive grants from the Behavior Boost program.
• 6 months: the time frame since the introducing of the Behavior Boost program.

Sources:

• [Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU) president Cresta Richardson](https://www.qt-u.org/about-us/leadership/)
• [Surfers Paradise State School union rep Samantha Vasey](https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/teachers-demand-safety-after- reports-of-violence-in-classroom-20230213-p5c2ou.html)
• [Education Minister and Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek](https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/contacts-ministers.html)