A teacher used a school laptop and other equipment to access Facebook and do other personal business on school time. Photo / Thinkstock
A teacher used a school laptop and other equipment to access Facebook and do other personal business on school time. Photo / Thinkstock
The principal of an Auckland primary school has criticised the Teachers' Disciplinary Tribunal for not being tougher on a teacher who managed a business and bought a house during class time.
Ravinesh Chand, of Colwill School in Massey, used school equipment to access Facebook, manage his family cleaning company anddo other personal business during lessons. He also altered his car registration to make it appear current when it had expired two years before.
Teachers Council complaints assessment committee lawyer Stefan Kaminski told a tribunal in Wellington yesterday that Mr Chand's computer records showed him logging into Xero accountancy software during class time.
"Mr Chand's obviously doing his books while sitting in class. That's a business pursuit for which we can expect him to be fully engaged."
Mr Kaminski said Mr Chand hadn't learnt from a previous criminal conviction for falsifying a taxi logbook. He asked the tribunal to censure Chand and consider cancelling his teaching certificate. Mr Chand had argued that his actions, while inappropriate, were not the serious misconduct alleged. The tribunal agreed.
Principal Robert Taylor later told NZME he was disappointed with the tribunal's decision.
"I would have thought that the tribunal's role was to make sure the quality of the profession was being upheld beyond reproach and that's not what I saw happen today."
Mr Chand will be censured and a copy of the decision placed on his record.
