YES MINISTER, STILL WAITING

Parents want principal stood down

EDUCATION Minister Kate Jones has told the parents of children allegedly shown a nude photo by a teacher’s aide that had her son been involved she would have expected immediate action from the school.

Ms Jones yesterday answered the parents’ request for a phone call about the incident.

Parents of the three Townsville Year 4 children allegedly shown a nude self- image by a teacher’s aide on October 19 questioned the minister over how the incident was handled.

The parents say their sons reported the alleged offence about 1pm but the accused was allowed to carry out his duties for the rest of the day. “We were not called up to come and collect our kids … they were sent home on the bus,” one father said.

“The principal called us and told us there had been a serious incident and ( our son) wasn’t in trouble but didn’t explain what happened.”

The parents told Ms Jones that they were asked to keep quiet by both the principal of the school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, and the Department of Education.

They said Ms Jones apologised for the review into the handling of the incident taking so long and understood why they were asking questions.

“She said she understood why we are angry … said if it had been her son she would have expected action to be taken immediately,” one child’s mother said.

“She said the review will be complete by the end of the week and hopefully then we will get some answers.”

The parents have called for the primary school principal to be stood down immediately, saying that should have occurred as soon as it was revealed the accused had worked at the school for five months without a Blue Card.

Ms Jones said that after she got off the phone with the families, she called the DirectorGeneral of the Department of Education, Dr Jim Watterston.

“I said I expected the department to brief the families in person about the investigation in Townsville,” she said.

The parents are now anticipating the departmental review will be completed by the end of this week and they are hopeful of finally getting answers.