A recent announcement by the Victorian Government has granted greater powers to school principals, allowing them to either suspend or expel students for behaviour outside of school.
This came as the Education Minister, Ben Caroll, said that the decision was in response to an increase in assaults and online bullying in the state.
The current status of principals’ powers is restricted to misbehaviour on school grounds, but the development allows principals to make the crucial decision if they believe that a student’s behaviour outside of school, or online, puts others at risk.
Speaking to the ABC, Caroll said that “community safety comes first”.
“These strengthened powers send a clear message that harmful behaviour outside of school or online has consequences,” he said.
This decision echoes the same polices in place in New South Wales and South Australia, and for Victoria, is set to take effect on the first day of Term 3, 2025.
The decision, however, was not taken lightly by the Opposition’s Shadow Education Minister, Jess Wilson, who said that the announcement came without “the much-needed consultation with principals”.
“Principals need to know the parameters of this, how far does this extend? We need to make sure that our principals are equipped, that they have the support they need, and they understand when it’s the responsibility of parents, and when it is the police’s to step in and deal with these issues,” she said.
Wilson also touched on the previous state decision to allow teenage criminals on bail, fitted with ankle bracelets, to attend high school in a proposed trial, highlighting youth crime and incidents that involve school students.
“What are principals meant to do in terms of what their responsibility is, and in terms of what happens outside school hours, outside school grounds?” she said.
“It is not clear from this announcement, so it puts principals and teachers in a very difficult situation, and they deserve better.”
Carroll added that this measure is one of “last resort”, and that the state is “investing in programs that foster more respectful schools and acting to protect school communities”.
This story is developing, and more information will be added once available.
