Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Restraint case highlights pressure on schools
Media release
Restraint case highlights pressure on schools
9 November, 2017
NZEI Te Riu Roa is calling for training and support for teachers who have to deal with increasingly violent situations and better funding for children with challenging behaviour.
A recent Education Council Disciplinary Tribunal decision, where a teacher was found guilty of misconduct for carrying a struggling child to the principal’s office, highlights some of the hard decisions that teachers have to make every day to keep themselves and children safe.
The Education Council said in its decision that the teacher who was censured was in a difficult situation.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Lynda Stuart says that new rules on physical restraint in schools introduced earlier this year need better back-up for teachers making the tough calls.
“The employer has to ensure that teachers and authorised staff members are suitably supported and trained, however the training is not automatic – schools must make a request to the Ministry.
“If the objective is to improve safety, then this training should have been rolled out to all schools when the new rules came in.”
She says that schools also need better resources for children with high and complex behaviour needs as schools were dealing with more and more violent and distressed children.
Schools must also keep a record of every incidence of physical restraint and send it to the Ministry.
“We are not sure what happens with the information after that and this reporting can add up to a lot of extra work for schools, so we need to look at a way in which this could be simplified and an assurance that the teacher and child will get the support they need.”
NZEI Te Riu Roa
New Zealand Educational Institute
NZEI Te Riu Roa members work in every community in New Zealand, leading and advocating for quality public education.
We are the 50,000 principals, teachers and support staff who work in primary, area and secondary schools as well as early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services. We come together as NZEI Te Riu Roa - New Zealand's largest education union, a Treaty based organisation and a powerful advocate for quality public education.
We have the most important job in New Zealand - educating for the future.
Braden Currie: Sets Sights On The Ironman North American Championships In Texas
Whanganui Regional Museum: Historic Wedding Dress Unveiled, A Piece Of Marton’s Heritage
Donovan Ryan: Local Runner Takes Out Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon
University of Auckland: Tributes Flow For Much Loved Pacific Leader Melegalenu’u Ah Sam
NZEI: Ministry Of Education Cuts Will Disproportionately Affect Pasifika
Day One Hapai te Haeata: Call To Action For Young Filmmakers Against The Backdrop Of Funding Cuts