Ban on register of close relationships

By

Bob Lipscombe

A register associated with National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy attacks professional integrity.

Federation has placed a ban on the Register of Close Relationships teachers are being asked to complete as a 'security' requirement of the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) commencing in schools on May 13.

In NSW the NAPLAN replaces the Basic Skills Test, English Language and Literacy Assessment (ELLA) and the Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program (SNAP) with new tests administered to students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Federation rejects the attack on teachers' professional integrity implicit in the register. Teachers regularly deal with the ethical issues that may arise from having relatives in the school system without the need to resort to unnecessarily bureaucratic and professionally offensive processes.

As a consequence of the ban Federation is directing members, including principals, not to complete the Register of Close Relationships form or similar documents. Where members genuinely believe they may be in a position of conflict of interest, they should orally advise their principal of this. If appropriate, the principal should make a note of any such declarations, including their own.

The register is included in the School Manual of Administrative Procedures for the National Assessment Program issued to all schools. On page 5 of the Procedures the following is stated:
"9. Any principal or staff member who is related to students sitting the tests in 2008 need [sic] to sign a register of close relations. An example is included on page 33 of this manual. These should be stored securely at the school."

On page 33 it is further stated, "examples of a close relationship include a parent/child relationship, a husband/wife/partner relationship, brother, sister, son, daughter, step-son, step-daughter, parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, cousin or similar relationships arising by marriage, by de facto relationship, by other living arrangements or by a tutor/student relationships....The definition of a student for the purposes of the document is a student who will or may be in year 3, 5, 7 or 9 in 2008." While a Q&A on the web, unlike the manual and form, indicates that the form does not have to be completed by every teacher with such relationships, the form still remains unacceptable.

A fax with information about the ban was sent to all Fed Reps on April 29. If problems arise implementing this ban, members should contact their Federation Organiser.

Bob Lipscombe is the Deputy President.

For further information

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