Mouth tape case: eye on teacher

Lisa Karl with daughter Madison Finch, who had her mouth taped shut by her teacher Pat Doube. Photo / Janna Dixon

UPDATE (July 11, 2012): The Complaints Assessment Committee of the Teachers Council has investigated the alleged mouths-taped incident and are satisfied that this did not take place. The allegations are inaccurate. The Committee said further that they are of the view that Pat Doube is an exceptional teacher.

Parents at a school where a teacher has been accused of taping two children's mouths closed to keep them quiet are concerned she is back in front of the class this week.

Mercury Bay Area School principal John Wright said the complaint alleging Pat Doube taped shut the mouths of two 7-year-olds, Madison Finch and Nikale Wilson, on August 12 because they were talking too much would be "fully and urgently investigated".

He declined to respond to further questions from the Herald about why the Year Three teacher had not been stood down or what the investigation had involved because it was an employment issue.

The Herald understands Mrs Doube is still teaching, but Mr Wright is now checking up on the class every hour.

However, Labour education spokeswoman Sue Moroney said her office had received calls from parents who did not think the school was doing enough and wanted the teacher to be stood down while the incident was investigated.

They had also complained about being kept in the dark by the principal, she said.

"They are concerned the teacher is still teaching and have had no clear information from the principal about whether there's going to be any investigation into this incident.

"Labour's position is clear - if there's any complaint of this nature - there must be an investigation from the school and we would want the board of trustees to ensure a full investigation takes place."

Mercury Bay Area School parent Jim Mirko said he believed the teacher should be stood down.

His 8-year-old son William, who had been in her class last year, had told him that she had taped children's mouths but never his.

"I don't agree with it 100 per cent - if those were my kids I would be straight down there.

"We knew there were issues but there were so many we would have thought it would have been left to senior people to handle it."

A mother whose children also attended the school said parents wanted more details of the claims and how the investigation was being carried out.

"The mission statement is students first but they are putting teaching first here."

She said the teacher had a reputation for "straightening children out".

Although she had some concerns about that, other parents thought it was a style that worked for their children.

New Zealand Schools Trustees Association president Lorraine Kerr said it was up to the board of trustees to take responsibility for the situation.

"Everything and everyone is their responsibility right down to student achievements."

Ministry of Education regional manager Chris Day said no complaints had been received about Mrs Doube or any teaching staff at the school, as these were dealt with by the board of trustees. But he confirmed the ministry had received eight confidential complaints about Mercury Bay Area School last year and this year.