NSW: Bruised special school teachers demand Refshauge meeting

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2003
NSW: Bruised special school teachers demand Refshauge meeting

Around 20 teachers from a special school in south-west Sydney have marched on the New
South Wales government offices, demanding a meeting with Education Minister ANDREW REFSHAUGE.

They say they're sick of being thrown against doors and stabbed at with pencils.

The teachers say physical and verbal abuse is commonplace at Niland Special School,
and more teachers' aides are desperately needed.

Currently there are nine classroom teachers and four full-time aides in charge of the
school's 54 intellectually handicapped students.

The state Teachers' Federation says that's nowhere near enough to prevent the assaults
continuing.

And the union's deputy president, JENNIFER LEETE, says Dr REFSHAUGE has so far avoided
meeting the teachers to discuss the situation.

AAP RTV jh/kbw/rt/rp

KEYWORD: NILAND (SYDNEY)

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