Huge payout for classroom stress

Jason Gregory28feb05
http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12392389%255E952,00.html
HUNDREDS of state teachers have received payouts for psychological illnesses and mental disorders since June 2002 with most of those blamed on dealing with violent and bullying students.

The new figures reveal that in the past two financial years $5.75 million was outlaid in WorkCover payments to 440 stressed-out educators found to be the victims of physical, mental and verbal abuse.

Queensland Teachers Union president Steve Ryan said yesterday many students had been charged with assault and other offences after teachers or the department on their behalf had complained to police.

It is also believed some teachers also have filed civil compensation suits.
"There are more (than the 440) in the system who are undergoing a lot of stresses directly caused by managing the behavior of students," Mr Ryan said.
"They may go on short periods of leave or just put up with it and carry on."