Survey paints a picture of the reality of school life
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 131 No 4, 26 June 2026, page no.7
A big thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our QTU Safe to Teach – Safe to Learn members survey.
The number of respondents was really encouraging, which I think reflects the strong sense of unity we’ve fostered over the past two years.
The survey was really about painting a statistical picture of what we all know is daily life in Queensland state schools.
One of the key elements revolves around the safety and wellbeing of our members. The QTU has been frank and honest about the scourge of violence and aggression in our workplace and the lack of clear guidelines to protect us.
It’s why this State Budget ask from the QTU has been heavily reliant on driving the government to amend the criminal code and protect our members in the same ways that we see other front-line workers protected.
We’ve also called for a statewide charter of expectations. Once upon a time, we didn’t need a document or set of rules around how the public should interact with teachers or how students should behave in our classrooms. But we all know it is very much required now, and we also know that members feel it’s the line in the sand they’ve wanted for a long time.
A statewide charter of expectations also reduces the pressure on our school leaders who, as we know, are often wedged between the employer and the teachers they work with.
Our hardworking school leaders deserve respect and clear guidelines to support them in the many varying scenarios they deal with on a daily basis.
In coming weeks and months, you will see how the results of our survey are used in social media, mainstream media, and other Union content to ensure the true picture of what our members are experiencing is being shared truthfully with the public.
Many of you will have seen recent reports on the government’s claimed reductions in behavioural issues and record hiring of new teachers; suffice to say the negative response from our members and the community was widelt expressed across many social media platforms.
The QTU is dedicated to improving public education in Queensland, and everyone knows that requires the government to adopt the appropriate mindset, followed by genuine actions backed by genuine investment.
We know our fight is right, we know a fully staffed school with the right resources, respect, and recognition is a great place to work, and that teaching careers are great careers.
But our fight continues. The Presidential team will be travelling regularly to come and see members and school communities across the state.
We know that there is a lot to do at a state and federal level around funding, resourcing, attraction, and retention.
On the flip side, we can’t lose sight of celebrating and recognising all of the educators Queensland relies upon to deliver quality education in the face of unprecedented challenges.