The Education Department has established an office to review policies and procedures relating to suspected abusive behaviour in schools.
Greens member Rosalie Woodruff in budget estimates on Tuesday after what actions or changes the department had taken on the reporting of abuse and support for complainants of abuse and sexual harassment ahead of the upcoming Commission of Inquiry.
Education Department secretary Tim Bollard said a Safeguarding Children and Young People office have been established to review protections against, and responses to, suspected abusive behaviour.
READ MORE: Man dies in fatal Bass Highway crash
He said schools had strict policies regarding teacher behaviour around students and more modern schools were designed in such a way that a closed door meant that the inside of a room could still be seen.
"All of those things are improvements, but what we need to do is ensure that is universal," he said.
Labor's Michelle O'Byrne asked numerous questions on the government's action over bullying behaviour and assaults within schools, noting both had risen last year despite fewer school attendances due to COVID-19.
Ms Courtney said funding for student trauma and trauma-informed development for staff had gone up to $4 million a year in this year's budget which supported students with problematic behaviour.
"We know particularly for young people that have experienced trauma, this can impact not only their ability to learn in the classroom, but their ability to engage with other students in a positive way," she said.
Ms Courtney said new figures showed the Liberals had employed 867 more full-time equivalent staff since coming to government in 2014.
This included teachers, teacher assistants, professional support staff, and nurses.
Ms Courtney said another 81 teachers were expected to be recruited in the coming years.
She said 40 full-time equivalent school literacy coaches would start work in 2022. Budget estimates continues on Thursday.
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor:
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
