SA Libs to scrap safe schools program

The South Australian opposition will replace the Safe Schools program if elected in March.

South Australia's version of the safe schools program will be scrapped if the opposition wins the March state election.

The current program does not address bullying for reasons unrelated to gender or sexuality and the Liberal plan will take a more comprehensive approach and tackle online bullying, opposition education spokesman John Gardner says.

"More than one in four students in Australia in Years 4 to 9 are bullied every few weeks or more, a sad and unacceptable statistic," Mr Gardner said.

The proposed policy has the backing of the Australian Conservatives with leader Dennis Hood saying the party would prioritise any legislation after the election.

"We congratulate them on coming out strong in support of this and we congratulate them for adopting a similar stance to what we have been calling for in regards to scrapping the safe schools program," Mr Hood said.

The safe schools program is designed to reduce bullying of LGBTIQA students and provide training for school staff on homophobic and transphobic abuse.