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Allegations
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The primary teachers'
union says it will lend its full force to helping a teacher cleared of sexual
assault to get back into the classroom - but experts warn he could face a
long road ahead. Lynne Bruce, national
secretary of the New Zealand Educational Institute, said Mike Neville had to
make his own decision on what he did next, but would be offered a range of
advice. "We will support
him in whatever he chooses." Mr Neville was
acquitted of four counts of indecently assaulting schoolgirls and told the Weekend
Herald how hard the past 18 months had been. The Levin teacher also
said he was determined to return to his job. Ms Bruce said teachers
were particularly wary about behaving appropriately and Mr Neville's case
highlighted an occupational hazard. The NZEI, which
represents about 25,000 teachers, supported Mr Neville throughout the case,
emotionally and financially. Ms Bruce said the
48-year-old now had to take some time to think through whether he went back
to the school where the allegations began, or somewhere else. One legal expert said
that despite the court result, Mr Neville would still have to clear several
awkward hurdles. Jane Latimer, an
employment law specialist from Kensington Swan Solicitors, said the burden of
proof was far more stringent in a courtroom than in employment relations. "It could still be
viewed that there was behaviour 'unbecoming', which may be enough for an
employer to terminate the contract," said Ms Latimer. If Mr Neville decides
to apply for teaching posts at other schools, the high-profile nature of the
case is also likely to act against him. Boards of trustees
should ignore the case, but that would be all but impossible because mud
sticks, said Ms Latimer. "You don't need a
criminal conviction for employment to be refused. It is by no means plain
sailing for someone in that position." In his favour, Mr
Neville's teacher registration should still be intact. Joanna Beresford,
chairwoman of the Teachers Council, said the organisation would not revoke a
registration in the case of an acquittal. Fewer than 4800 men are
registered as state primary and intermediate teachers, compared with more
than 21,000 women. But of those numbers, almost 1200 of the men are
principals, leaving just 3600 in front of a class. Chris Haines, president
of the School Trustees Association, said boards could be relied on to make
fair decisions as employers but agreed that Mr Neville's situation was
complex. |
