NSW: Police involvement slows down teacher probes: department

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2007
NSW: Police involvement slows down teacher probes: department

By Simon Kirby

SYDNEY, April 16 AAP - Police involvement in an investigation is often the reason for
a teacher's extended suspension from the classroom on full pay, the NSW Education Department
says.

Unions have criticised the length of time it takes to complete investigations into
serious allegations made against teachers.

Almost 60 NSW public school teachers have been removed from the classroom due to criminal
investigations, child protection allegations or incompetence, News Ltd reported.

Data obtained under Freedom of Information laws showed that collectively such teachers
were being paid up to $4.5 million in salaries a year, or $85,000 a week, by the department,
on top of the cost of their classroom replacements, it said.

Investigations could take months, or even years, to complete, while the teachers continue
to draw full salaries for alternative duties, often clerical work in department offices.

A spokesman for Education Minister John Della Bosca referred the matter directly to
the department, describing it as a "staffing issue".

The minister would, however, look into the NSW Teachers Federation's concerns about
timely investigations, he said.

NSW Department of Education spokesman Mark Davis said the department conducted investigations
as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

But police involvement could add significantly to that timeframe, he said.

The department had to stand aside while police considered the laying of criminal charges
and any court processes were followed, Mr Davis said.

It could only start its own subsequent investigation when police advised the department
they would not be pursuing criminal charges.

"Obviously in both those cases, that can exceed the time limits that may be placed
on these inquiries," Mr Davis said.

"However, we are talking about procedural fairness for the teachers concerned."

Police sometimes instructed the department not to advise accused teachers of specific
allegations, but Mr Davis said teachers were always told of the general reason for their
removal from the classroom.

He added that teachers were regularly updated about the status of the inquiry.

There were no set deadlines for investigations and department guidelines only applied
to "non-complicated matters", Mr Davis said.

The department's policies were updated last year when legislation was amended, he said.

AAP sk/wjf/jt/mn

KEYWORD: TEACHERS NSW SECOND LEAD

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