Teachers given new guidelines to deal with drugs and weapons

New guidelines for the search and seizure of drugs and weapons in schools are designed to support teachers and protect students and staff. File photo / Thinkstock

New guidelines for the search and seizure of drugs and weapons in schools will help support teachers and protect students and staff, Education Minister Anne Tolley says.

Mrs Tolley said today the guidelines were the first of their kind and were developed by the ministry and legal advisers following calls for clear advice on how to legally deal with students suspected of carrying drugs and dangerous items.

"The vast majority of our students are well-behaved," Mrs Tolley said.

"However, schools wanted more support in dealing with challenging behaviour involving weapons and drugs, as they are required to provide a safe environment for all students and staff."

Mrs Tolley said she had instructed the ministry to investigate changes to legislation which would give schools even greater support in what was a complex legal area.

The guidelines say that when staff believe a student has a dangerous item concealed in clothing or bags the most straightforward approach is to question the student.

"Staff may ask a student to hand over any item and, in most cases, a student questioned by staff will admit to possessing such an item and will hand it over," the guidelines say.

"The decision to search should not be made without good reasons and should follow fair, clear and safe procedures."

They say searching students and confiscating their property can be challenging for boards of trustees, principals and school staff.

"Searches are an intrusion into students' privacy and can also amount to an additional sources of difficulty in already tense situations."

Mrs Tolley said the $60 million Positive Behaviour for Learning plan was already seeing "great results" in dealing with difficult students.

More than 7000 teachers were receiving additional training in effective classroom management and staff from 400 schools were receiving training in promoting positive behaviour.

"Other support for schools includes a new rapid response service following the most extreme behaviour incidents and an Intensive Behaviour Service to target the most complex and challenging students," she said.

- NZPA