DOCS child abuse data cover-up
Exclusive by Bruce McDougall to News.com.au
HUNDREDS of public school principals have been gagged from complaining about serious cases of child neglect because to do so is critical of the Iemma Government.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that a statewide survey of schools which revealed concerns about the Department of Community Services' performance was shut down by education bosses.
Principals were warned they may be breaking the law by responding to the survey which was organised by their professional body, the Public Schools Principals Forum.
Last night Education Minister John Della Bosca's office accused the organisation of using the issue for "political sport", saying evidence would be taken by the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection headed by Justice James Wood.
DOCS child abuse data cover-up
ReplyDeleteExclusive by Bruce McDougall, Education Reporter
HUNDREDS of public school principals have been gagged from complaining about serious cases of child neglect because to do so is critical of the Iemma Government.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that a statewide survey of schools which revealed concerns about the Department of Community Services' performance was shut down by education bosses.
Principals were warned they may be breaking the law by responding to the survey which was organised by their professional body, the Public Schools Principals Forum.
Last night Education Minister John Della Bosca's office accused the organisation of using the issue for "political sport", saying evidence would be taken by the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection headed by Justice James Wood.
Forum chairwoman Cheryl McBride, principal of Sarah Redfern Public School at Minto in Sydney's southwest, claimed education bureaucrats were "protecting the Government from further exposure to criticism over the DOCS debacle" in stopping the survey.
"The Principals Forum is interested in one thing only - that is the safety and welfare of all children," Ms McBride said.
Principals have revealed thousands of children turn up to school showing signs of severe physical abuse or extreme neglect and are angry many cases appear not to have been followed up.
Almost 200 responses to the survey were received by noon last Friday, when deputy directors-general Trevor Fletcher and Peter Riordan issued a memorandum warning principals not to respond.
The memo said: "Principals (or teachers) - as public sector officials - should be aware that there are laws concerning the disclosure of information . . .
"Given these laws, principals and other staff are advised not to respond to the Public Schools Principals Forum or any other online surveys about such sensitive matters," it read.
It is understood about 50 principals defied the warning and forwarded their responses.
The survey covering about 60 per cent of schools across NSW - the fourth conducted by the forum since 2001 - reveals cases of multiple notifications involving seriously neglected children.
Ms McBride said the forum had an "impeccable record in respect of privacy".
Premier Morris Iemma made child abuse and domestic violence his key election platforms when he was returned to office earlier this year.
But Opposition education spokesman Andrew Stoner said yesterday the gag showed Mr Iemma's claims of openness and transparency in the inquiry into DOCS were a "sham".
"This proves yet again what everyone outside the Government knows - we need a royal commission into DOCS," Mr Stoner said.
"While kids continue to slip through the cracks, Mr Iemma's overriding concern is to keep a lid on negative publicity."
A spokesman for the Department of Education and Training denied it was gagging principals.
"The welfare of our students is the paramount concern of the department," the spokesman said.
"Disclosing details that could potentially identify a child at risk is illegal and irresponsible."