The controversy around the Safe Schools Coalition program hasn’t dampened teachers’ engagement with anti-bullying program with eight additional schools signing up.
The total number of schools signed up to the program is now 26 according to The West Australian, with eight schools requesting access to the program since Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull order a review into it’s contents.
While the review conducted by UWA’s Emeritus Professor of Education Bill Louden, found the program was soundly constructed and achieving it’s goals, there were recommendations that the program should not be available in primary schools or link to materials outside of government funded programs.
Most of the schools involved in the program in Western Australia are public schools, but three private schools have also signed up including Presbyterian Ladies College.
The program was only launched in Western Australia last September and teachers have voiced frustration that the federal government has cut key parts of the program before it’s success in Western Australia could be measured.
At a rally in support of the program held in Perth last week, teachers spoke out against the decision to pull key resources from the program.
Secondary teacher Stan Schirmer said the government’s decision to change the program was particularly disappointing for Western Australian teachers, who had only been able to access the program for one school term.
“As teachers we’ve been wanting the Safe Schools Coalition program in our schools, but it’s only this year that teachers have access to the professional development and resources that allows us to teach the program.” Schirmer said, “Now they say they’re going to remove the funding – well that’s not good enough.”
Schirmer said the program was not just for LGBTIQ+ students, but for all students as straight students are often also the victims of homophobic and transphobic bullying.
WA’s Education Minister Peter Collier has previously said he believes LGBTI students would be better served by a more generic anti-bullying program.
OIP Staff
