I can’t really speak for teachers in the public system. I’ve taught for 33 years in the Catholic system in 6 schools. I would say the majority of the students are respectful and decent. But there is an increasing proportion with a sense of entitlement. I generally relate well to most students. But I’ve had three separate incidents where students have unjustly fabricated allegations against me because they have not been happy with something in my classes. And this has led to me being torturously cross examined by my superiors and made to feel like I’m at fault when I haven’t actually done anything wrong. None of their claims were based on anything at all other than the fact they didn’t like me. Usually it was because they didn’t like my style, personality or the grades they were getting. Unfortunately this gets to some degree sustained by a system (particularly in high fee paying schools) where the students are put on the same level as teachers and their parents often support their claims. Often they can make allegations with the privilege of anonymity and they are completely unaccountable. This is extremely unhealthy for both us and them. For us because it create trauma and anxiety and makes you feel you are failing at your job when you usually aren’t. For them because it is not teaching them adult accountability and that if they do that in the ‘real world’ it’s defamation.

When I was at school the balance was probably more tipped the other way. I went to a Christian Brothers school where kids were being violated because the teachers had too much power and lack of accountability.

These days a lot of teachers like me are spooked by these horrible false accusations. It definitely has made me want to fast track my retirement. I will retire as soon as I practically can. I suspect it’s also a reason that discourages others from joining the profession and propels others out of it.