Special needs child allegedly caged in Australian school

A school in Australia is under fire after allegedly putting a special needs student in a cage-like structure.

The issue emerged last week from a Canberra Public School after a complaint was made to the children and young people's commissioner.

A 10-year-old boy with autism was reportedly being put in a "withdrawal space" inside the classroom.

That space was said to have consisted of pool fencing measuring 2 meters by 2 meters.

An investigation is now underway.

Australia's education minister called the incident "absolutely unacceptable".

"I am immensely disappointed, disturbed and quite frankly disgusted that this structure was allowed in our school. It is absolutely unacceptable," said Joy Burch, Australian education minister.

"This is an isolated example of very poor decision making. An immediate investigation independent of the directorate has already begun," said Iane Joseph, director-general of act education and training directorate.

Hugh Boulter, vice president of Act Public School Parents and Citizens Association said ""I'd also call for the directorate to undertake and make inquiries into the non-government schools as well, immediately, to remove any further question of systemic performance in the ACT."

The school principal has been removed from the school during the investigation, but the name of the school cannot be revealed for privacy reasons.