More teachers behaving badly

10.30am

More than 50 teachers have been investigated for inappropriate behaviour this year, including indecent assault, having sex with students, violence, abuse and fraud, according to figures released by the Teachers Council.

The 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.

Of those investigated, the council moved to have 14 struck off the register.

After hearings, eight had had their registration cancelled for offences, including having a sexual relationship with a student, sending inappropriate emails and text messages, assault, "manhandling student", and assaulting a woman in front of children.

Two teachers were struck off for having pornographic images on school computers, and one for historic 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 incidents happened at the teacher's home, at school, and while they were at sporting events. He also sent the girl inappropriate emails and birthday cards.

Other complaints about teachers included swearing, stealing school funds, playing strip poker with students at school camp, inappropriate touching, shirking responsibilities, and drinking alcohol with students.

A former Correspondence School teacher was investigated by police after two of his former students complained of inappropriate sexual relationships and rape. He has since been deregistered.

The Teachers Council took over the old 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.

- NZPA