Reports a cage was used for an autistic child at a Canberra school are deeply disturbing, opposition education spokeswoman Kate Ellis says.
The principal at the school has been suspended after the cage-like structure was found in a classroom, apparently used to house the autistic student.
The ACT's Education minister Joy Burch says she's "immensely disappointed, disturbed and quite frankly disgusted" that the two-metre cage, made of pool fencing, was allowed in the classroom.
Education department officials have launched an investigation following a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
On Friday, Ms Ellis said reports of mistreatment of students with disability were "shocking and deeply disturbing".
"The abuse or neglect of students with disability is absolutely unacceptable," she said in a statement.
"All students - including those with disability - deserve to be recognised as learners and supported to achieve their best."
The structure was reportedly put up on March 10 and removed on March 17, after the head of the education directorate and the minister's office were alerted to the complaint.
It was built for a specific student but it's not yet known if it was actually used.
The student in question has remained at the school.
He and his family have been offered support and two extra special-needs teachers are now working at the school.
Meanwhile, parents of other students at the school have been informed of the structure's removal and the extra support available.
Children with Disability Australia (CDA), the national peak body which represents children and young people with disability, said the case was not an isolated one.
"Unfortunately, CDA is receiving an increasing number of reports of students with disability being subjected to restrictive practices in schools," chief executive Stephanie Gotlib said.
"This increased incidence is a clear indication that the system is not adequately meeting the needs of students with disability."
