Nearly 50 SA school teachers suspended over three years, FOI documents reveal

FOI documents have revealed the number of teaching suspensions over the past three years, and sparked new complaints over the speed of education department investigations.

Almost 50 public school teachers have been suspended over allegations of misconduct in the past three years, new Education Department figures reveal.

Freedom of Information documents obtained by the opposition show 47 teachers and four non-teaching staff have been stood down between April 2018 and June this year.

Of the teachers, 31 were paid while they were off work being investigated, five were sacked and seven resigned.

The department did not provide further information on the circumstances surrounding the suspensions.

However, The Advertiser in July this year reported that allegations of assaults on students, sexual harassment, fraud, grooming and sexual relationships with former students, mistreating students with disabilities, drugs charges and racists remarks were among claims that sparked investigations between January 2020 and April 2021.

Labor MP Blair Boyer said the time taken to complete the investigations was unacceptable. Picture: Morgan Sette

The FOI documents also show the department spent an average of 40 weeks investigating each of the 47 teachers.

The longest investigation spanned 169 weeks – more than three years. The teacher was not paid while suspended and eventually their employment was terminated.

“While serious allegations are infrequent, each is dealt with according to rigorous processes that prioritise the safety of students and the principle of natural justice,” a department spokesman said.

Opposition education spokesman Blair Boyer said it was “unacceptable” that investigations were taking so long to complete.

“This means some teachers are being paid by the taxpayer but aren’t teaching,” he said.

“It’s also grossly unfair on teachers who have done nothing wrong but must endure the ignominy of an investigation hanging over their heads.”

The department spokesman confirmed 16 matters were still under investigation or adjudication.

One further case was subject to court proceedings.

“The time it takes the department to adjudicate outcomes is influenced by external processes including police investigations and court proceedings,” he said.

Under the Education and Children’s Services Act, suspension of teachers is with pay unless the department’s chief executive directed otherwise.

In cases of suspension without pay, teachers are reimbursed if allegations are not proven.

Education Minister John Gardner said the state government had changed laws so the registration of a teacher charged with a serious criminal offence was immediately suspended upon charges being laid. “These amendments were recommended to the previous government by the Teachers Registration Board but Labor never acted,” he said.

Originally published as Nearly 50 SA school teachers suspended over three years, FOI documents reveal