The board of the Islamic College of South Australia has been dismissed after months of controversy.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils confirmed the dismissal, saying the decision was part of a “restructure” at the school.
The college in Adelaide’s western suburbs has been the site of several protests by parents concerned with how it is being run.
Parents claimed mismanagement by the school board had resulted in the sacking of key staff and the decline of academic standards.
The board was also condemned by a senior group of imams, who labelled the school’s actions in removing a moderate Muslim teacher earlier this year as “oppressive and irresponsible”.
Parent Souraya Serhan said the board’s dismissal, which included chairman Farouk Khan, had been a long time coming.
She said the school board had gone through four principals in as little as three years.
“How can we not be relieved ... it is the beginning stage, it’s the first step ... it’s been fantastic,” she said.
Protesters also claimed the school was segregating students by gender in its hallways and queues, and was enforcing the wearing of head coverings by non-Muslim female staff.
A mother of a teenage student said he was taken to a barber and forced to get a haircut by school staff in July despite her never giving the school permission to do so.
After starting protests earlier this year, Ms Serhan said she had received a lot of support from fellow parents.
“Our hard work has paid off,” she said.
“In the end, however, I also want to say that there are still many other steps that need to happen as well if the school is to get back to its normal self.”
Former chairman Mr Khan said in May that principals had left for a variety of reasons, including retirement or personal circumstances.
He said a long-serving teacher had been dismissed because of a serious incident at the school but it could not be outlined for privacy reasons.
A review of the school was ordered by the State Government in May, which sought to ensure it was complying with funding agreements and that the Australian curriculum was being taught appropriately.
The college was also under investigation by the Australian Tax Office for alleged financial irregularities.
The board’s secretary remains in a caretaker position until the new board is appointed.