Australia: AEU supports ‘Wear it Purple Day 2019’

A recent AEU survey in Victoria found that over 75% of LGBTQ+ students experienced some form of discrimination. Furthermore, public schools had seriously insufficient mental health support services to meet the needs of their students.  According to the survey:

• Fewer than half of the 3500 school teachers and staff surveyed believed their school had access to appropriate mental health services;
• 80% of respondents reported that mental health-related issues had negatively affected student learning at their school.

AEU Victoria argues that while the Morrison government spends A$247 million (USD 167 million) each year on school chaplains, there is insufficient funding for schools to provide qualified teacher-counsellor positions to help foster safe and inclusive environments for all students, and in particular those who identify as LGBTQ+.

[Wed, 04 Sep 2019 12:23:00 +0000] | DIGG THIS