67,000 Teachers Judged As Having Good Character

More Than 67,000 Teachers Judged As Having Good Character

The country's largest education union, NZEI Te Riu Roa, says New Zealand has more than 67,000 teachers who have been judged by the New Zealand Teachers Council as having a good character and are fit to teach.

The union, which represents teachers and principals in primary, intermediate and area schools, is responding to a story in today's Dominion Post newspaper that quotes figures on teachers who have been investigated by the Teachers Council, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour. The story states that 53 teachers have been investigated this year and that 14 were struck off the register.

"NZEI does not condone inappropriate behaviour by teachers but we must keep these figures in perspective," says NZEI Te Riu Roa National President, Colin Tarr.

"In June last year there were more than 67,000 teachers who held a practicing certificate. The council has investigated 53, who were alleged to have behaved inappropriately. That's 0.07% of the total number of registered teachers. The council struck of 14 teachers. That's 0.02% of registered teachers."

"Before it registers a teacher, the Teachers Council must be satisfied that the teacher is of good character and is fit to teach. Right now the council has judged that more than 67,000 teachers are of good character and are fit to teach."

"These figures show that quite clearly an absolutely overwhelming majority of teachers in New Zealand are of good character and are fit to teach," says Colin Tarr.

"Teachers behaviour is under constant scrutiny. They are required to renew their practicing certificate every three years. This requires that they are judged to be trustworthy, honest, reliable, and have respect for others."

"NZEI says parents and the community should be reassured that an absolutely overwhelming majority of teachers have been judged to be of good character and fit to teach their children," says Colin Tarr.

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