Huntly teacher not allowed to teach

Press, 21 August 1982, Page 27

Huntly teacher not allowed to teach

PA Hamilton The board of governors of Huntly College is faced with a dilemma — it will not allow a. member of the teaching staff to teach and education regulations will not let the board dismiss him. The. "Waikato Times" has reported that the teacher, who is attending school daily but not taking classes, has had three complaints against him referred-to the Teachers Disciplinary Board. In 'the first- case, in which it was alleged the teacher had ■ struck two pupils, the Disciplinary Board found that his : behaviour had been unbecoming to a teacher but, insufficient grounds for dismissal. - , There had , been a similar finding/hy ■ the Board in a complaint?’‘'in? which it was alleged the teacher had peered into th’e , window of a house in Huntly. The board found that a third complaint that the teacher had peered through a motel window had not been proved. . . .. . ■■ The newspaper said the

college board and the Educa : tion Department were now stalemated over a solution to - the college’s problem. The teacher had been suspended twice for a total period of more than a year. The next move would be a meeting next week between a college board delegation and the Minister of Education'(Mr Wellington). The teacher had first been suspended from teaching in May, 1981. after the allegation of ■ striking pupils. The report of an independent referee had been referred to the Director-General of Education, Mr W. L. Renwick, who in turn had referred it to the Teachers Disciplinary Board. The. teacher had appeared before the board on that complaint in December. In response to a series of .■'■questions 4)jr?thd 'mewspaper, - «tht-;jBuntly College, board of governors has 'released the . following statement: “A member of the Huntly College staff has twice appeared before the Teachers Disciplinary Board, a-court set up to adjudicate on the suitability of teachers to remain in the service.

“On both occasions, the judgement was that his behavour was unbecoming to a teacher and on the last occasion added that he should be transferred to another position.

“The department has instructed the board to continue to employ the teacher or face the possibility of facing legal proceedings against it.

“In reaffirming its previous decision that the teacher concerned shall not be given duties which will put him in contact with students, the board believes it is carrying out the real intent of the .act and believes, in doing so that it will receive the support of parents and the community at large.

“Meanwhile, the college may not appoint a permanent replacement. This will be the situation as long as the teacher remains at the college.”

The teacher has declined to comment, but according to other staff members he has told them that he will not resign.