NSW: Schools still safe for children despite reports: Firth
10 Nov 2008 7:08 PMSYDNEY, Nov 10 AAP - NSW public schools remain one of the safest places for children despite accusations of inappropriate behaviour by some teachers, Education Minister Verity Firth says.
There have been 86 allegations of sexual assault or inappropriate relationships between teachers and students over the past two-and-a-half years, The Daily Telegraph has reported.
Ms Firth said the Department of Education took such reports seriously, withcomplaints of criminal behaviour reported to police.
She said three teachers had been convicted of criminal offences in the pasttwo-and-a-half years, while eight other teachers were subjected to internal disciplinary action for inappropriate behaviour, Ms Firth said.
This was from a workforce of 55,000, Ms Firth said.
"I believe schools are still one of the safest places for your child to be in the community," the minister told reporters at a primary school in Penrith.
"Of course, we don't take these allegations lightly, and we treat them absolutely seriously if any of these sorts of situations arise."
Ms Firth said teachers received annual training in child protection.
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