Bullying OK at Department of Education

So bullying is OK in Public Schools? As long as it is teachers and principals being bullied by Department of Education Supervisors.

From Adelaide Now

School principals who have spoken out against education budget cuts are being "chastised" by their superiors, effectively gagging them from making public statements.

The Advertiser yesterday telephoned 10 principals across the state about the budget cuts. Only two were willing to comment.

Seven principals did not wish to comment while one in the Mid North referred The Advertiser to the Education Department's regional district office.

SA Primary Principals Association president Glyn O'Brien said the State Government had pushed "very strongly" for principals not to comment in public on the issue.

"The people who have made comments have been somewhat chastised and been reminded in no uncertain terms that they are public servants," she said.

Ms O'Brien said there was an element of "fear" among principals about speaking out.

It was revealed this week nurses had been gagged from speaking to the media about their dispute with the State Government over pay and conditions.

Black Forest Primary School principal Phil Greaves said he had not officially been told to avoid speaking to the media about the Budget cuts but was aware some principals would be reluctant.

"I think you'll find a lot of principals would be outspoken about this topic because of the enormity of the issue," he said.

"In our budget, we'll have to make provisions for about $50,000 less, which translates to about $80 per child meaning we'll have to make cuts in key areas."

Dover Gardens Primary School principal John Grant said the "savings initiatives" listed by the Government in the 2006-07 State Budget were "going to have a significant effect".

"We're a small school with close to 80 students and if they take 1 per cent of our salaries for the WorkCover levy along with the other changes, it's going to have a big impact," he said.

Treasurer Kevin Foley defended the changes as the result of devolution policy instigated by the former Liberal government.

A spokeswoman for Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said "no directive about speaking to the media has been given by the Minister or her office to any principal or staff member."

Personally I think what Foley is saying is bollocks. Although there was some devolution of power in theory, in reality, the Department of Education is involved in every last decision at the school. Fine to devolve power, but you also need to give schools adequate resources to run schools effectively. This is just a ruse for a cut.

As for Mrs Lomax Smith, again bollocks and polly speak. The directives seem to be coming from operational people. Our principal has been very careful about what he has said and done. Obviously a culture of fear and bullying in place at DECS.