An inquiry revealed that a Jewish school in Sydney failed to fulfill education requirements, hired unaccredited instructors, and violated fundamental child safety regulations.
Bondi’s non-government Yeshiva College was determined to be non-compliant in curriculum, governance norms, and instruction. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) determined that the college used unaccredited instructors, failed to fulfill minimal primary and secondary school curriculum standards, and failed to offer a “safe and supportive environment” for its pupils.
Dr. Juliet Lucy, a senior member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, issued a scathing report supporting NESA’s proposal to officially terminate the school’s registration on Wednesday.
Dr. Lucy said, “The applicant remains non-compliant with some registration standards, including curriculum and governance.”
“I cannot be convinced that it is consistent with child protection regulations.”
The goal of these standards is to guarantee that children get the education to which they are entitled, that the school is properly and ethically controlled, and that the students’ welfare and safety are safeguarded.
As a matter of judgment, I believe that the Minister should be advised not to renew and revoke the school’s registration. Consequently, I have approved the NESA’s proposals.’
The audit revealed that Yeshiva placed the safety of children at danger since a handful of instructors lacked a clearance to work with children. One instructor taught Jewish studies while missing NESA certification and a clearance to deal with children, while another’s clearance was not checked until their fourth week at the school.
In 2021, about half of the 25 staff employees engaged in child-related employment skipped their yearly child safety training, which sometimes cited out-of-date regulations.
The audit concluded that nine members of the teaching staff, some of whom are part-time, are certified instructors, while other staff members, referred to as Jewish studies teachers, are not qualified.
In the next four weeks, the college’s enrollment is likely to be canceled, forcing around sixty kindergarten through tenth-grade pupils to seek alternative education.
Parents invest around $1,500 year in fees and other contributions, while the state and federal governments give approximately $18,000 per student.
The tribunal determined that the school’s chief executive, Rabbi Dovid Slavin, who has held the position since 2012, was not “fit and appropriate to be in charge” of the institution.
The investigation said that Rabbi Slavin failed to guarantee that the school conformed with registration requirements for many years and was often sluggish to react when NESA highlighted areas of noncompliance needing repair. Rabbi Slavin informed the Daily Mail Australia that he was dissatisfied with the decision and is now “weighing his options.”
The college filed an appeal of the verdict after NESA inspections revealed the institution was not in conformity with curriculum and instruction regulations.
However, the panel remained steadfast in its recommendation that the school’s registration be revoked.
An NESA spokeswoman informed Daily Mail Australia, “The decision to deny and revoke the school’s registration is based on persistent non-compliance with the conditions for school registration, namely governance and curriculum difficulties.”
Yeshiva College has existed in various incarnations since 1956, providing Torah-centered education to Sydney’s Jewish Chassidic Orthodox population.
Due to financial difficulties, the institution was on the verge of collapse in 2012; however, millionaire property developer Harry Triguboff cleared the school’s debt, leading the college to name a building after him.
Late in 2021, the tribunal observed that the school’s procedures had improved, but not to the necessary level.