Teachers’ Difficulties When Police Interview Children

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28895, 15 May 1959, Page 19

Teachers’ Difficulties When Police Interview Children

• New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. May 14. The New Zealand Educational Institute intends examining the question of police interviews with children in schools. A remit requesting the institute's Dominion executive to ••look into” the matter was passed unanimously at the annual meeting of the institute today. Miss B. S. Cairns ‘Marlborough), chairman of the session committee on pupil welfare, said many teachers were confused as to the position of the teacher during police interviews. Mr K. J. McNaughtop ‘North Canterbury! said the present regulations allowed police to interview children, subject to the headmaster's permission. “Nobody actually knows under what circumstances he should give such permission.” he added. A headmaster was "caught between two stools” on the matter. “If he doesn’t give permission, he is, in a sense, hindering the police in their duty which is a regrettable thing. On the other hand if he

| does give permission the parents I concerned have rightly a feeling e of injustice to their children." n Those teachers who were parents would not be very pleased - if their own children came home o from school and said they had s ■ been interviewed by the police. II said Mr McNaughton. i There was also the police view- . point, he said. Many parents were e; working and. sometimes, it was y almost impossible to hold intere! views in a reasonable time, if the g parents had to be seen first. I “If these interviews are to be h, held in schools, then headmasters - need some more guidance on -; guarding the school's rights.” e: Mr McNaughton said three matV ters needed clarification. "I <1) When should the headmaster give or withhold permission. >2> What were the rights of parents. t <3) Guidance for headmasters! acting in the parents’ capacity during police interviews.