School accident: a father looking for answers to DIP

“I received excuses and it was over.” Thomas is the father of a 10 -year -old girl. Nevertheless, school accident: father looking answers who fell two meters high on metal poles in a Geneva establishment. Furthermore, The schoolgirl was the victim of a triple fracture at the right foot. Consequently, It was in April of last year. However, Since then, this father has not taken off. For example, He does not understand that instead of recognizing their responsibility. Nevertheless, the teacher, the establishment and the public education department did not believe his daughter.

“That day, at 11:15 am I got a phone call from the school. Nevertheless, It was the physical education teacher who asks me to recover my daughter who had an accident. Therefore, When I arrive, she is sobs in the locker room, swollen face and swollen nose. In addition, The teacher arrives. Meanwhile, She tells me that my daughter went up to the top of the device. However, No limit is materialized on the school accident: father looking answers scale. Nevertheless, ” Thomas did not enter the gym. Furthermore, but the teacher during the physical education session would have told him that there was no big carpet on the ground, in order to prevent children from playing to throw themselves on it.

“We don’t break our bones on a carpet”

The next day, the dad brought his daughter to the Grangettes clinic. In addition, His foot is plastered for two months. Furthermore, Thomas sends an e-mail to the school director. A message that will remain unanswered for a month. The father wants to know why there was no carpet, no tape to signify a height limit for children. He writes to the Directorate of teaching at DIP. The answer will make him angry. The administration says there was a ground carpet. “We don’t break our bones on a carpet, school accident: father looking answers even thin,” reacts Thomas.

Driven, he wrote to the State Councilor, Anne Hiltpold. The elected representative replied that her daughter did not respect the instructions. It is too much for Thomas. we first treat his daughter as a liar and then a behavior not respectful of the rules. He decides to file a complaint for “negligence” because he believes that the consequences of the accident could have. been serious.

A justice complaint that does not succeed

An investigation is open: the teacher and the director are heard. The teacher tells the police that there was a floor mat but that the student fell next to it. According to her. “putting carpets on the ground is only a recommendation” and that in putting thicker would encourage children to jump. In a letter from the administration paid school accident: father looking answers to the file. it is indicated that a group of students – including the girl – moved under other poles who should not be used. And who, suddenly, probably did not have a carpet. In short, the circumstances remain unclear.

“Why was I not interviewed to testify to what my daughter told me on the spot?, Wonders the father. And the other children, what have they seen? “

At the end of the investigation, justice ultimately does not enter into matters. Ready to appeal, the father contacts a lawyer. But the costs make him go back. The story stops there before he contacts the “Tribune de Genève”. “I know that parents abuse. But I find that when a parent is in good faith. the administration must not ignore its requests for information and say what it is. ”

What you need to know: DIP responses

Contacted to know procedures in the event of a school accident. The DIP, which does not answer on special cases, said a few points. “If the situation seems serious. if there is a doubt in the event of a school accident, the emergency services are called without delay.” This was not the case in this case. If it is a question of knowing who responds to the requests for explanation of a parent. the DIP replied that “the interlocutor varies according to the circumstances”. For Thomas, it was necessary to write to the DIP then to the State Councilor to have answers.

On the day of the accident. parents are called if “the student’s state requires some care or discomfort which does not allow him to school accident: father looking answers return to class” and an accident declaration form By the management and the teacher who witnessed the accident is completed in a second step. The Department adds that, in each establishment, a nurse or first aid attendants are present.

Regarding security measures for height physical activities. such as mini-trampoline, rings, fixed bars or climbing on apparatus and the pole climbs, they are “the subject of particular vigilance in schools and the teacher monitors the good layout of the equipment, the behavior of the students and the adaptation of the instructions”.

Finally. the DIP explains that “in an emotional context which is legitimately loaded, discussions with the parents almost always manage to settle the questions. In the event of disturbing circumstances of an accident. the situation is analyzed by the DIP and a disciplinary sanction may intervene. However, parents are not a party to the administrative procedure concerning the DIP and its collaborator. ”

Contacted. the father’s lawyer underlines “the intransigence of the DIP and the teaching staff which makes it block the outside”, while recognizing that parents are sometimes “complicated to school accident: father looking answers manage”. In the case of his client, he is surprised that the administration did not “seek to learn more”. Finally, he adds: “To know the truth, do you have to go so far as to hear the children?” I don’t think this is desirable. “

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

10 comments