WA Public Schools Under Lockdowns Record High
· marketing
Lockdowns by the Numbers: A Harsh Reality for Western Australia’s Schools
The statistics paint a stark picture: at least six public schools in Western Australia go into lockdown every school day, with 1,327 incidents reported in 2025 alone. This number has more than doubled since 2017, when there were 578 lockdowns.
Of the 1,103 lockdowns last year prompted by threats of violence, officials attribute them to various reasons including medical hazards or other emergencies. However, Education Minister John Carey downplays the connection between lockdowns and violent incidents. His response is characteristic of a knee-jerk reaction rather than a thoughtful exploration of the root causes behind these lockdowns.
Students and staff are being forced into hiding more frequently than ever before under the guise of “precautionary measures.” This raises questions about what constitutes a threat to safety in today’s schools. Is it a perceived risk or an actual incident? The government’s Incident Management Manual, introduced as a tool for mitigating incidents and restoring normalcy, has coincided with an increase in lockdowns rather than a decrease.
Shadow Education Minister Liam Staltari argues that a firm approach backed by meaningful intervention and diversion programs is needed for disengaged students before their behavior escalates. By addressing the root causes of violence, schools can create a safer environment for everyone involved. Teacher resignations are rising, and concerns about violence, stress, and burnout are mounting, indicating that something is fundamentally wrong with our education system.
The government’s response has been reactive rather than proactive, treating symptoms rather than addressing underlying issues. It’s essential to work together with educators, parents, and students to create a more comprehensive approach to school safety that prioritizes prevention over punishment. By doing so, we can build safer schools through meaningful policies and interventions. The students and staff deserve nothing less.
The numbers are stark, but it’s time for a new narrative around school safety in Western Australia. It’s time to put aside rhetoric about being “tough on violence” and focus on creating a more supportive environment that prevents violent incidents from occurring in the first place.
Reader Views
- TSThe Stage Desk · editorial
The alarming rise in lockdowns in Western Australian schools is a symptom of a deeper issue: our education system's failure to address underlying causes of violence and disengagement. While Minister Carey downplays the connection between lockdowns and violent incidents, we know that trauma-informed approaches are essential for creating safe learning environments. Teacher burnout and stress cannot be ignored; addressing these concerns requires proactive measures, not just reactive responses to individual incidents. We need a systemic overhaul to prioritize student well-being over security protocols.
- MDMateo D. · small-business owner
The WA government's response to the record-high lockdowns is too little, too late. While Minister Carey may downplay the link between lockdowns and violent incidents, it's clear that something's amiss when teachers are resigning in droves due to stress and burnout. But let's not overlook the elephant in the room: our education system's reliance on punitive measures rather than proactive support for disengaged students. Until we address the root causes of violence, schools will remain breeding grounds for anxiety, fear, and trauma – and that's unacceptable.
- ABAriana B. · marketing consultant
The alarming trend of lockdowns in WA public schools demands a more nuanced approach than just throwing more money at crisis management plans. We need to confront the elephant in the room: disengaged students who are often pushed out or fall between the cracks due to inadequate support services. These individuals are not inherently violent, but rather symptoms of a system that fails them. A firm approach backed by meaningful intervention and diversion programs is crucial, but it's equally essential to address the root causes of disillusionment with our education system.