If you continue to have problems with the school administration you can ask for a copy of your child's file held at the school. This request is free of charges. You could ask for an inspection of all documents relating to your child which would give access to a much wider variety of documents but this would cost $32.00. It may be worthwhile exercise if your first request for the personal file does not remedy the situation. Don't forget to include in your request access to any notations in any staff member's diary (private or otherwise).
see Dept of Educ's legal opinion to access.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
Fed up with the authoritarian attitude of the school staff when you ask question about your child and why some of their actions were taken?
Tired of your child receiving unwarranted detention and/or suspension?
Are you fed up with teachers or principals exerting authority they do not possess? e.g.. School uniforms
Tired of the school trying to unlawfully enforce a school uniform against the Department of Education written policy?
Then it's time to view your child's file held at the school.
The "Freedom of Information Act" (FOI) allow for you as a parent to receive a copy of your child's file held at the school without charge through the Department of Education.
In the past such FOI request by parents have resulted in Parents finding remarks on the files which were incorrect also finding some derogatory remarks about themselves!
Now is the time for you to make your request of your child's personal file, which is free of government charges.
A request for access to ALL DOCUMENTS should give access to the appropriate parts of some, if applicable and all parts of other documents such as: the admission register, class roll (morning and afternoon), student record cards, detention register, suspension register, compulsory attendance monthly report register, register of loss time, accident register, medication register, a copy of all computer records, school reports, semester reports, all correspondence and reports about your child, etc.
There has been a change in FOI cost in Queensland in 2001. Request for Personal Information held by government departments is still free of costs. FOI application cost about $A32.00 and a decision is then made as to how much time it may take to gather the information requested and then you are advised of approximate costs and negations take place as to which files can easily be made available. Therefore a request for all documents may not be always appropriate. Try a request for all personal documents and failing that ask for documents relating to your concern.
Freedom of Information Officer
Department of Education
P.O. BOX 33
ALBERT STREET
BRISBANE QLD 4002
Dear Sir/Madam
RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
This is a request for documents under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request access to ALL DOCUMENTS relating to my child held by both the school and the Education Department. His/Her's full name, address, Date Of Birth 00/00/0000 attends the ................... State High School.
I make this request on behalf of my child as their legal guardian. Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter by return mail and advise me of any time delay I may experience in your processing this FOI request.
Yours sincerely
I authorise my parent, ................................ to obtain documents on my behalf.
Name & Address ............................................... Signature. ............................
When this request is completed and you have been supplied a copy of your child's file and you find remarks on it that are not correct you are allowed request the FOI officer who supplied you the file make notations on your child's file that the information it contains is not correct as far as you are concerned. (You would need to discuss this matter with the FOI officer about how you go about this type of correction of facts. The file cannot be altered. But a notation can be added to show what you believe to be correct.)
If the Department refuses you any access to documents/files you can appeal their decision in two steps. Both are free. First you request an internal review of their decision to refuse you access to certain documents. (Internal review is carried out within the Department by another officer usually more senior officer who has not been involved with the previous decision.)
If their response is to also refuse then you are entitled to request an External Review. An officer of the Information Commissioner carries this out. This section is combined with the Ombudsman Office in some form.
How to have a file annotated to show correct information where incorrect information is on Government filesFreedom of Information Officer
Dear Sir
During my inspection of the files released to me under Freedom of Information by you, I found what I believe to be incorrect or inaccurate information on the file. I therefore request an annotation be placed on the file at folio number to show the following.....................................................
(Information must be given to support the reason for any annotation on the file.)
Yours faithfully
ManagerAdministrative Law and Legislative Operations Branch
Department of Education
P.O. BOX 33
ALBERT STREET
BRISBANE QLD 4002
Dear Sir
RE:- REQUEST FOR AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF DECISION
We request an internal review of the decision to restrict access to certain documents I requested under the Freedom of Information Act on behalf of my child.
File Number ................... Date of decision....... Department of Education.
Please advise us of your decision on the Internal Review as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully
I authorise my parent, ...................................... to obtain documents on my behalf.
Name & Address............................................. Signature.............................
Information Commissioner25 Floor
Jetset Centre
288 Edward Street
BRISBANE QLD 4000
Dear Sir
RE:- EXTERNAL REVIEW OF FOI DECISION
File Number: ......................................
I am requesting you to carry out an external review of the decision of the Department of Education about access to all documents' held by their Department on behalf of my child ..............
I have requested an internal review by the Department of Education and I am still not satisfied about the exemption of some documents or that all documents have been supplied.
Please keep me advised as to the outcome of your decision/s in this matter.
Yours faithfully
I authorise my parent, ...................................... to obtain documents on my behalf.
Name & Address............................................. Signature.............................