– I am shocked, it goes against everything I think and believe in, says Kristina Hjertberg, who is the principal of an adapted school in Gävle municipality, when she is asked how she reacted to the information that came to light about the conditions at the school.
During SVT’s visit to the school office, our reporter plays an excerpt of a hidden audio recording from a staff meeting at the school where the assistant principal also participates. In the clip, you can hear Kristina Hjertberg react to the content.
Had to sit on a penalty bench
SVT Gävleborg has previously reported that four former employees at a school in Gävle for children with intellectual disabilities testified to abuses which, among other things, expressed themselves in mocking comments about parents and children. They have also told how the children had to go without food, were locked out in the cold and had to sit on a penalty bench if they broke the rules.
Held in place with a waist belt
In addition, there is now testimony that staff must have used a life belt to keep one of the children in place.
– These are absolutely not methods I support in any way, says Kristina Hjertberg, who claims to have been unaware of the abuses until recently.
– There are seven different primary schools where we have adapted primary schools. It is not where I am on a daily basis, so my main information is via the assistant principal.
An investigation has been started
The deputy principal has for his own part declined to take part in the audio recording from the meeting. Gävle municipality has started an investigation to be carried out by an external consultant.
– We follow the investigation and act based on what it comes to, says Kristina Hjertberg.