A post on the ACT Public Schools' Facebook page has enraged parents who say the ACT school system doesn't do enough to support children with disabilities.
Dozens of parents shared their difficulties getting support for their children in the public school system while ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said the post didn't reflect an "inclusive approach".
The Facebook post said children with disabilities or "diverse learning needs" were encouraged to attend their local ACT public school with the support of individual learning plans, school psychologists, small group learning and other adjustments.
But many parents said the advertised resources were not available at all schools, or were difficult to access.
'Feeling of dread and loathing'
Cath Brinkley said she ended up withdrawing her son Jed from an ACT public primary school after he failed to receive adequate support for his autism spectrum diagnosis and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
She said both a psychologist and a directorate officer found Jed couldn't cope in open-plan classrooms, but the school placed him in an open-plan class the following year anyway.
"We didn't have [a school psychologist], and then we couldn't actually get into one when one was assigned finally to the school after two years, we couldn't get an appointment with her. She was too busy," Ms Brinkley said.
"Various accommodations that we had put in for him, things like having a wobble chair so that he could sit on it ... that was a shared pool that went into shared resources for all of the students.
"The directorate says every school has a small group learning [space], and they don't ... the lack of support was gobsmacking."
Ten-year-old Jed said he spent his last year at an ACT public school dreading having to go to school.
"I don't have words for it and I don't know why, but it's just like that feeling of dread and loathing of school," he said.
"[The school] did not listen to me at all. When I asked [for] what I needed, they sometimes somewhat did, but not really."
Challenges persisted 'for a long time'
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said she was disappointed to see the Directorate's recent Facebook post.
"I was saddened to read the comments from parents and carers about the experiences their children and families have had in our public schools," she said.
"This post does not reflect the inclusive approach we are striving to build in our schools and is not in line with contemporary thinking or the ACT government's position on inclusion.
"Our position is clear: true inclusion strengthens communities. It requires that we listen carefully and work together to create environments where every child - regardless of background or ability - can thrive.
"I acknowledge any harm or disrespect this post may have caused families. I take the comments on this post seriously, and I have asked the Directorate to look into the matters raised and to report back to me, particularly regarding the processes we have in place in our schools."
The Facebook post garnered more than 120 comments, the outrage prompting the Directorate to add an additional comment that they appreciated "families have different experiences".
"We are reading your comments and sharing your feedback with relevant areas of the Education Directorate," the comment read.
ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Association executive officer Veronica Elliot said she wasn't surprised by families' comments.
"Council has been hearing from parents and carers, students with disabilities for a long time around the challenges they face in accessing an inclusive education," she said.
"We're really concerned by the experiences students have had in our schools, and continue to be concerned about parents who've contacted the Education Directorate's complaints and feedback team.
"What we hear is that the process is often confusing, slow, and leaves families feeling dismissed rather than supported."