A NATIONAL study revealed more than half of school principals surveyed said they experienced abuse and harassment at work, and the state principals’ federation leader says the findings resonate in WA.

In response to Echo News questions, Principals Federation of Western Australia (PFWA) president Kya Graves said the national study was relevant to WA principals who reported similar experiences.

“PFWA can confirm what the research has identified as growing levels of violence, distress and social volatility, placing principals under ‘extreme and often invisible’ pressure,” she said.

“Many principals reported assault, threats, and critical incidents requiring crisis management.

“The profession is experiencing a school leadership recruitment and retention crisis, heavily driven by stress and unmanaged emotional demands.

“The surge documented in the national data is highly relevant to WA principals and reflects patterns already observed across the state.”

The new national research explores and puts to light the growing violence being experienced by principals in Australian public schools.

According to the report, government school principals and schools are being held solely responsible for educating the majority of the most disadvantaged students in Australian society, without adequate funding, services and system support.

This has been identified as a major factor in the escalation of violence in schools.

Lead Monash researcher Jane Wilkinson said Australia ranks in the bottom third of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) when it comes to equity in schools.

“Decades of underfunding of our government schools means that public-school principals are the proverbial canaries in the coalmine,” she said.

“Public school principals are expected to educate our most disadvantaged students without adequate funding, frontline services, or support.”

Principals from across Australia told researchers that they felt at risk and “hated going to work”.

One principal reported that they were assaulted by a parent while another “had a recurring dream that (they were) shot in the head” as a result of the trauma they were experiencing.

Ms Graves said the PFWA strongly supported principals facing harassment, threats, or violence.

“To improve safety and wellbeing in the event of harassment or violence, PFWA recommends (principals) report all incidents immediately to the Department of Education and ensure they are formally documented,” she said.

“Request a risk assessment and safety plan, especially where there is repeated or escalating behaviour from parents, students, or community members.

“Seek support early, including psychological support, debriefing services, and union representation during difficult interactions.

“Do not manage violent or high-risk situations alone and ensure there is adequate staffing, supervision, and leadership coverage at all times.

“Engage PFWA for advocacy, particularly where departmental processes or responses have been insufficient.”