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More than 50 teachers
have been investigated for inappropriate behaviour this year, including
indecent assault, having sex with students, violence, abuse and fraud. The Teachers Council
has made disciplinary or conduct decisions regarding 53 teachers this year,
compared with 38 for the whole of last year and 35 in 2002, according to
figures from the council. Of those investigated,
the council moved to have 14 struck off the register. After hearings, eight
had their registration cancelled for offences including having a sexual
relationship with a student, sending inappropriate e-mails and text messages,
assault, "manhandling students", and assaulting a woman in front of
children. Two teachers were
struck off for having pornographic images on school computers, and one for
historical indecent assault charges against a boy aged between 12 and 16
years. Children's Commissioner
Cindy Kiro said it was a sad reality that parents and children could no
longer trust people in positions of authority. The Internet and text
messaging had made inappropriate behaviour more common, and parents needed to
be aware that teachers were capable of bad behaviour. "These are serious
breaches of trust, and it seems they are increasing." It was a shame the
actions of a few people were tarnishing the name of teachers, because the
vast majority were excellent, Dr Kiro said. "It's a real shame that the
actions of a few people create a climate of mistrust and fear." In one of the most
disturbing cases, a married male teacher was found to have had a sexual
relationship with a student, which continued for more than five years. He was found to have
had sexual intercourse with the girl, performed other inappropriate sexual
acts and given her naked massages. The sex happened at the teacher's home, at
school, and at sporting events. He also sent the girl inappropriate e-mails
and birthday cards. Other complaints about
teachers included swearing, stealing school funds, playing strip poker with
students on school camp, inappropriate touching, shirking responsibilities,
and drinking alcohol with students. The Dominion Post
revealed this month that a former Correspondence School teacher was being
investigated by police after two of his former students complained of
inappropriate sexual relationships and rape. He has since been deregistered. ACT Party education
spokeswoman Deborah Coddington said the teachers' behaviour was outrageous. "Parents send
their kids to school to learn, not to be sexually harassed by teachers."
Entry requirements for
teacher training colleges needed to be raised to ensure better quality
teachers, she said. Council director Euan
Dempsey acknowledged there had been an increase in the number of disciplinary
cases against teachers, but said there was no cause for alarm. It showed the
council was doing its job, he said. "Parents could
take comfort by the fact these teachers are being brought to our attention
and are being dealt with." National Party
education spokesman Bill English said it appeared there were too many
"bad eggs" going into the teaching profession. However, he praised
the council for taking action against them. The Teachers Council
took over the Teachers Registration Board in 2002 and was hailed as the
Government's flagship for teacher ethics and professionalism. Changes last
month enabled the council to investigate an allegation immediately, instead
of waiting till the teacher applied to renew his or her practising certificate.
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