A little respect: attracting top teachers is not rocket scienc

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Reader's Comment, A little respect: attracting top teachers is not rocket science, Jane Caro, The Drum, Opinion, ABC, 4 October 2012: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4293550.html Historical link preserved from the original page.

A message from a teacher in West Australia.

I want to contact other Australian teachers to - Historical link preserved from the original page.

a) express my concern at the way the WA Department of Education's Standards and Integrity Directorate (SID) manages complaints and allegations of misconduct against teachers,

and b) to seek their support in calling for a review of the policies that underpin this process.

At present the WA department of Education investigation process is unjust, arbitrary and draconian.

It effectively denies teachers who are the subject of complaints, due process and procedural fairness.

Teachers can be prevented from earning a livelihood prior to a full investigation of incidents - investigations which, in my experience, can take years to complete.

This is an absolute disgrace.

The department levelled a number of unfounded, yet serious charges against me for misconduct back in 2006.

These charges were eventually dismissed and I was exonerated.

But I feel that I was treated unjustly and I feel the Department should be held to account for their actions.

In my view, the Wa department of education disciplinary process is little more than institutionalised workplace bullying.

Queries I've made to the DoE regarding inconsistencies, anomalies and irregularities in the way the Code of Conduct provisions are investigated and managed by SID have gone unanswered.

Serious complaints about senior staff in certain schools have been ignored, by both the schools and by the department.

I have been subjected to bullying, threats, intimidation, false and malicious allegations, etc.,

I have found it difficult to do my job properly whilst defending myself against these unfounded accusations, complaints and allegations.

This experience has had a considerable impact on my physical and mental health, welfare, and financial well-being.