keeping those noisy kids quiet?
from AntBlog701

keeping those noisy kids quiet?

an Australian primary school has a smart way

simple, tape kids' mouths up with masking tapes.

From News.com.au, Kids' mouths 'taped shut':

Parents at a primary school have forced an inquiry into why a teacher's assistant put masking tape over the mouths of 30 children in a bid to quieten them.

The incident at St Francis Xavier Primary School in Wollongong was brought to attention by the father of an allergy-prone 11-year-old girl, who is himself allergic to masking tape.

And according to the report, it worked well to quieten kids.

> full article: Kids' mouths 'taped shut' (News.com.au 27.7.2005)

From Kids' mouths 'taped shut' (News.com.au 27.7.2005):

Kids' mouths 'taped shut'

PARENTS at a primary school have forced an inquiry into why a teacher's assistant put masking tape over the mouths of 30 children in a bid to quieten them.

The incident at St Francis Xavier Primary School in Wollongong was brought to attention by the father of an allergy-prone 11-year-old girl, who is himself allergic to masking tape.
Other parents were also left gobsmacked by the unusual form of disciplining, branding it "demeaning".

The Catholic Education Office (CEO) confirmed last night that the man, who is the partner of the school's deputy principal Leslie Dent, had been told to stay away from the school while children were interviewed.

The man, who is not a parent, was assisting with props for a music performance at the upcoming national Wakakirri Story Festival when he allegedly, literally, shut up the children.

Director of schools at the CEO, Greg Whitby, said children were being supervised by a teacher during the lunchtime practice session.

While some children laughed off the incident, Kaila Elsaki, who suffers eczema and is allergic to any sort of make-up was taken to a doctor by her parents.

"She's very dry around the mouth and just above the chin," her mother Marie Elsaki said.

"She was distressed because she's a sensitive girl. As soon as I picked her up after school she said 'I need to tell you something'."

Kaila's father Marrher Elsaki said he believed 20 to 30 children had their mouths taped by the man.

"The principal was notified last Thursday about Kaila's allergies and then this thing happens two days later," he said.

The family's instructions had not mentioned tape.

"At the same time you do not expect masking tape or tape of any sort to be put on somebody's lips," Mr Elsaki said.

"It's not something I ever contemplated and I'm sure other parents are the same."

He is allergic to all forms of adhesive tapes, except Band-Aids.

Mr Elsaki also reported the incident to police and the Department of Community Services and consulted a solicitor, with an eye to civil proceedings.

Chief Inspector Mark Lavers said it was unlikely charges would be laid over the incident.

However, the matter has been referred to the CEO for investigation.

The school has refused to comment.