More than 50 SA teachers, principals and childcare workers suspended from the classroom

Teachers and principals at South Australian public schools are serving long suspensions, often while still being paid. See the list.

South Australian teachers and principals are being suspended from the classroom for years, often with pay, as some face allegations of criminal charges.

Data released to The Advertiser shows 51 education department staff, including early childhood workers, teachers and school leaders, were on suspensions as of last month.

Details of allegations against them have not been released but it is understood some are facing charges for drink driving, drug offences, violence, theft or sexual assault.

Education authorities have not confirmed if any have had their pay paused, saying only that the vast majority continue to be paid.

In the longest-running case a teacher at an Adelaide school has been suspended for 132 weeks, or two years and nine months.

When the snapshot was captured in September a principal at a city school had also been suspended for 131 weeks.

Other suspensions ranged from a fortnight to two years and two months.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said extra staff had been hired by his department to “ensure investigations are completed as soon as practical”.

“We take these matters very seriously and any investigation undertaken needs to be done thoroughly,” he said.

“We make no apologies for taking strong action to keep students safe.”

Among the suspended 51 staff there are 29 teachers, nine school services officers, five principals or educators in leadership positions, three Aboriginal education workers and two early childhood workers.

A bus driver, business manager and administrative services officer are also listed.

Education Minister Blair Boyer. Picture: Ben Clark

The majority work at metropolitan campuses but 13 are based in regional areas.

The data only covers the almost 15,000 staff at public kindergartens and primary and secondary schools.

Independent and Catholic schools in SA do not make this information public in the same way.

Last September The Advertiser reported that a 2023 snapshot showed 32 educators were on suspension, including a case that had been going for three years.

Education Department chief executive Martin Westwell said there were seven extra staff working in the department’s investigations team compared to the same time last year.

Professor Westwell said many investigations were “concluded within weeks”, although the average time was 32 weeks, outside of police or court processes.

“Where there are criminal or other investigations, those staff remain suspended until those matters are concluded, which is entirely appropriate,” he said.

“The department has done a lot of work over the past few years to encourage greater reporting of incidents to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and students.

“We have significantly increased resources to support investigations to ensure they can be completed as quickly as possible.”

Originally published as More than 50 SA teachers, principals and childcare workers suspended from the classroom