School survey finds bullying, safety concerns among WA students

Updated January 30, 2018 08:49:01

A survey of more than 1,800 students across Western Australia has found most are happy with their schools, but as many as one in five high school students did not always feel safe.

It is the first time the Children's Commissioner has organised such a survey, which included 98 government, Catholic and independent primary and high schools.

Commissioner Colin Pettit said the results were largely positive.

"Most of the children we interviewed were really happy with school and were well engaged," he said.

"However, there were a percentage of students who found that a number of influences affected the way they learn."

Relationships with peers and friends — and teachers — were key issues, as were relationships with parents, and health issues.

Not everyone feels safe at school

The survey found one in five high school students, and one in 10 primary school students said they were afraid of being bullied or being hurt in some way.

Commissioner Pettit said this did not mean those students were in chronic fear, rather that they did not feel safe all the time.

"This is a perception of young people as they see it at the moment and we have to take notice of that," he said.

"They've also cited examples to us where they could feel safer if their school environment was a much safer place.

"Around making the school grounds a safer place — that we make sure there aren't hidden areas that children can get into trouble with — those sort of issues need to be discussed at a school level."

One of the suggestions from a student was: "Put some cameras in the school so we know who's bullying."

Another said: "Teachers need to learn how to empathise with students and understand the unsafe community other students can create."

And another issued a disturbing appeal:

"Much less BULLYING because I'm getting bullied too much. Help me teachers."

More than 20 per cent of high school girls said they had avoided going to school out of fear of being bullied.

Teachers and family must take an interest

Students said they valued family members taking an interest in what they were doing at school, asking how they feel, listening to their responses and respecting views.

Among the responses: "Supporting one another helps build a stronger education", and "Families can be a big impact in people's lives".

If family did not get involved, "it can be quite hurtful and feel like they don't care about your education".

The report said negative comments from family about school or aspects of the learning environment were seen as unhelpful.

Students also hoped teachers would take a greater interest in their lives and have conversations with them beyond what they were doing in the classroom.

They lamented it was difficult to learn if the "teachers can't control a rowdy class", or the environment was "loud, noisy and distracting".

Change class times, and let us read our own books

Those surveyed welcomed learning.

"When you learn something new it's like a new world or new door to open," one said.

But they wanted greater choice in curriculum content.

"Up to a certain point in education, it eventually becomes unusable in everyday life. Example, where am I going to use quadratics in day-to-day life," one wrote.

"If we choose the books we would like to read, more students might want to read books."

And, more specifically, "A free period on certain days to show the teachers and to let the school know what we want to learn".

Other suggestions regarding physical and mental health went on unexpected tangents.

"I would change the time of recess and lunch because not everyone is a fast eater so they can't play with their friends," one wrote.

"Change the start and finish times to about 10:30[AM] to 4:30[PM] because teenagers are more focused at that time."

Healthy food, clean toilets please

While 70 per cent of those in high school said they had "excellent" or "very good" health, more than 20 per cent said they had a long-term health problem and more than 40 per cent reported difficulties with concentration or behaviour.

They called for cheaper and healthier food at canteens, and "the toilets were also repeatedly mentioned as an area for improvement".

"Students suggested toilets should be cleaned more frequently," the report said.

The Commissioner has made 14 recommendations, including ensuring there were best-practice models for social and personal support within schools, reviewing safety policies and positive behaviour management — and enhancing interpersonal skills for teachers.

Commissioner Pettit said that while the responses were generally similar across the board, there were some minor differences in regional areas.

"Older boys didn't feel as engaged in their schooling as their city counterparts," the Commissioner said.

He recommended governing authorities evaluate the implementation of cultural frameworks for supporting Aboriginal children.

The Commissioner also wants an investigation across the entire sector, focusing on the apparent "under-diagnosis of health conditions and its impact".

First posted January 30, 2018 08:24:18