Shocking figures show hundreds of students taking guns, knives and even explosives to school

Startling figures have revealed the extent of weapons in Queensland state schools, with numbers showing more than two kids per school-day over the past year have been expelled or suspended for using weapons.

An exclusive investigation by 7 News has prompted renewed calls for metal-detectors to be installed at some school entrances.

One Toowoomba mother, identified only as Fiona, said her son has been tormented at the hands of bullies.

“They would unscrew the blades from their metal sharpeners, he’s been threatened to be stabbed,” she said.

And the case isn't just isolated to one city, it has been described as an epidemic across the state.

Right to information documents show 466 students were expelled or suspended for "physical misconduct involving an object" in the past year.

Mostly the objects were knives and scissors, but there were also knuckle dusters, swords, guns, hammers and explosives.

Almost half of these incidents happened in the state’s southeast.

The Education Department's Assistant Director General said schools should better enforce a zero tolerance policy.

"We do have over 1,200 schools, half a million students,” he said.

"The issue for principals is to decide whether that is a dangerous situation.”

At Kingston State School, south of Brisbane, a young student found a gun on an oval where Year One students play.

The education department said it is one of the more concerning cases in the past year.

But authorities said that incident, like the other 21 occasions involving 'guns', includes imitation weapons, hot glue guns or paint guns.

Despite that, Fiona believes there needs to be better security, even a consideration of metal detectors at the school gate.

"Why not? If it just saves one kid from getting stabbed from around the corner behind the sheds."

News break – April 28