It is a disgraceful black mark on the education system that a new survey unfortunately shows is getting worse. The Australian Research Council-funded Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey 2019, or the Riley report, as it's known in education circles, reveals almost one in three principals faced stress and burnout, including high levels of threats and physical violence by parents and students.

Compared to the general population, a higher percentage of school leaders reported being subjected to threats of violence, physical abuse, bullying, conflicts, quarrels, gossip and slander. This kind of abuse was being reported in the Riley report before the outbreak of COVID-19, which is a disappointing finding that appears to have no solid solution. In even more disappointing results, Deakin University and Australian Catholic University findings also show Tasmanian instances are higher than those surveyed in other states. It's disappointing that, as a society, we have seen no improvement in this behaviour for almost a decade. But what is even more disappointing is Tasmania and Australia's leaders, in education or other fields, have not been able to combat this significant problem. Teachers are among the most important professions in Australia but for whatever reason, some parents - who should know better, and students - think it is OK to treat people in such a manner. The coronavirus pandemic has shown just how vital teachers remain in Australia - with many parents finding out first-hand just how hard it is to teach their own children at home.

Teachers work in a highly stressful environment and carry great responsibility. Hopefully, the pandemic carries a silver lining, finally being the trigger to show parents and students that teaching is not an easy profession. Newfound respect will hopefully make them think twice before shooting off at the mouth with a narrow-minded barrage of abuse.

The results of the Riley report are sobering food for thought and a timely reminder as Tasmanian students begin to migrate back to the classroom.

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