New bid to track suspect teachers

THE Federal Government has been urged to establish a realtime national database that would give state authorities access to immediate information about teachers who may be under investigation or the subject of a complaint.

A report from the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership warns there are gaps in information-sharing arrangements between jurisdictions, and suggests a new electronic database should be established to protect children from predatory teachers.

It wants states to consult on where the line should be drawn, whether it should only flag teachers who are found guilty of offences, those suspended pending investigation, or perhaps even teachers who are the subject of complaints and allegations.

While child protection advocates want all substantiated allegations listed, civil libertarians are concerned a national database that contains details about complaints involving teachers who have not yet been suspended would unnecessarily ruin careers.

AITSL general manager (teaching and school leadership) Danny Pinchas said while state-based teacher regulatory authorities already work well to share information, the current process relies on a “manual approach”.

“This can lead to delays when a teacher has found employment in another jurisdiction and/or can cause inaccurate information sharing,” he said.

Mr Pinchas said a “realtime” electronic system would strengthen child safety.

John Ryan, the director of the Queensland College of Teachers, the state body responsible for teacher accreditation, said Queensland currently took a rigorous approach to registering, investigating and suspending teachers and would not want to see its high standards compromised in a move to any national database.

But he said Queensland would support more efficient information sharing through a national database.

Civil liberties campaigner Terry O’Gorman said he had serious concerns a national database containing information about allegations against teachers could have “careerending consequences”.

“Simply because very real miscarriages of justice can occur,” he said.

But child rights campaigner Hetty Johnston said any substantiated allegation should immediately be shared.

“Even if it is not substantiated enough for a criminal matter to proceed, if there is a concern about someone’s behaviour with children, they should be on here,” she said.