Discrimination charged in teacher sacking

Discrimination charged in teacher sacking

By Melanie Sjoberg

ADELAIDE — David Jobling, an artist employed on contract by Jamestown Primary School, has been sacked by the Education Department, on the grounds that he has published "offensive" material in a Darwin gay and lesbian newsletter.

Jobling originally made headlines because it had been discovered that he was HIV positive. The school had then carried out an extensive awareness raising project among students, teachers and parents. Following this, more than 80% of parents decided that there were no problems with their children participating in the art course.

The ensuing media publicity seems to have prompted the Education Department to take decision making into its own hands, although it denies that the sacking is related to Jobling's HIV status.

Claire McCarty, state secretary of the Institute of Teachers, told Green Left Weekly that Jobling is not a teacher and therefore not a member of SAIT. However, the union opposes any discriminatory action on the basis of a person's medical condition and has called on the Education Department to give reassurances to the union.

Jobling is now planning to pursue the issue with the Equal Opportunity Board.

From GLW issue 56