Abuse of Power By Teachers’ Council Member

Abuse of Power By Teachers’ Council Member

“A PPTA appointee to the Teachers’ Council, Senior Vice President, Graeme Macann, is guilty of a serious abuse of his power and should resign immediately,” Martin Cooney, spokesperson for the September 20 group said today. “His actions are like High Court Judges taking out private prosecutions against individual citizens who dare to speak up.”

“Mr Macann has acknowledged that he personally laid a Code of Ethics complaint against a fellow PPTA member (Don Roberts, HOD Workshop Technology at Putaruru High School). His offence was to take part in a public radio debate over non graduate secondary teachers with the President of PPTA, Jen McCutcheon,” said Mr Cooney.

“Mr Macann as well both interrupted and insulted Mr Roberts while he was talking to Trevor Mallard at an arranged meeting with the Minister of Education following his speech to the PPTA Conference on 25 September,” Mr Cooney said.

“It is outrageous for a Teachers’ Council appointee to behave like a teacher policeman when the person concerned could theoretically end up before them later for judgement and sentence, including losing their right to teach.”

“Today is the deadline for postal voting for the elected positions on the Teachers’ Council,” said Mr Cooney. “Our group is circulating Mr Robert’s debate to PPTA members and calling for the replacement of Mr Macann on the Teachers’ Council by PPTA.”

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