New role sparks backlash

The Teacher's Council is aware Rebecca Rose Ngapo is working at a childcare centre despite her admission of previously mistreating children in her care.

An early childhood teacher who admitted mistreating young children in her care is now working at an early childhood centre in Rotorua.

But because she is not employed as a registered teacher, the strict conditions put on her by the Teachers' Disciplinary Tribunal don't need to be followed.

Rebecca Rose Ngapo admitted mistreating young children at a Tokoroa early learning centre by shovelling spoonfuls of food into a child's mouth when the child tried to breathe or cry, confining children in a small room with the door closed for at least five minutes at a time, throwing balls at children to get their attention, and handling children roughly.

News that she is now working in Rotorua has prompted heated discussion on a Rotorua Facebook page, with many local parents wanting to know where she was working and why she was allowed to work.

A Teachers' Council spokesman has confirmed to the Rotorua Daily Post it was aware she was now working at an early childhood centre in Rotorua, but not as a registered teacher. They would not name the centre.

He said they had been in contact with the centre, which was aware of the background and the sanctions and conditions it had placed on Ms Ngapo.

"The Disciplinary Tribunal's conditions apply only to Ms Ngapo working as a registered teacher. The Council will continue to monitor Ms Ngapo's compliance with conditions set out by the Tribunal."

The spokesman said they were pleased the case had received public attention so that the public was well informed.

Ministry of Education deputy secretary, early years, parents and whanau Rawiri Brell said abusive behaviour in any setting should never be tolerated, particularly when young children were involved and when a position of trust had been abused.

But he said the ministry did not employ early childhood teachers or monitor where they worked and it was up to the individual centre to carry out pre-employment checks.

Rebecca's mother Mary Ngapo, who was the manager of the centre, was also censured for failing to report her daughter's behaviour, and allowing staff to use her daughter for "disciplining and threatening" children.

Rebecca Ngapo was ordered to undertake a course of training or education in appropriate behaviour management strategies.

She also must be supervised and mentored for two to three years if, and when, she returns to the workforce.