Queensland students with disability are being removed from school for disciplinary reasons because teachers aren’t receiving the necessary support to manage their needs, according to a new report for the Department of Education and Training.
LNP Shadow Education Minister Tracy Davis said Deloitte’s Review of Education for Students with Disability in Queensland State Schools highlighted a lack of support for state school teachers who currently aren’t being given the skills and support to manage special needs students.
“Every day we ask our teachers to manage a diverse range of students with varying needs – and there is no one size fits all solution,” Ms Davis said.
“This report makes it very clear that our teachers, who are already under immense pressure, aren’t being given the skills and support they need to assist students with special needs.
“Alarmingly, students with a disability are being removed from school for disciplinary reasons because of a lack of understanding and training around the link between learning and behaviour.
“Currently, restrictive practices such as social exclusion and restraints are also being used on students with no way of monitoring the outcomes, when they should only be used as a last resort behind other behaviour management options.”
Ms Davis said the report identified a need for better awareness and cultural support to make all families, regardless of their needs, welcome in the school community.
“In order to ensure students with a disability are given the same opportunities as other students, schools need to be given an explicit framework that they can implement on a local level,” she said.
“Labor’s Education Minister Kate Jones has spent months waiting to be told she needed to do more to support students with a disability in state schools - she can’t drag her heels implementing the recommendations.
“Our students and teachers can’t afford any further delays – Kate Jones needs to action this report immediately and ensure all students get access to the best education possible.”
