Threat to cut throat leads to censure…

The Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal has decided not to cancel the registration of a teacher who threatened to cut the throat of another resident at a boarding house after a dispute.  The teacher was charged by the Police, but went through a diversion process as this was his first offence.  The conditions on diversion included making an emotional harm payment, apologising to the victim and undertaking counselling.

The Disciplinary Tribunal decided that the conduct amounted to serious misconduct as the teacher failed to demonstrate a high standard of professional behaviour and it could bring the teaching profession into disrepute.  The Tribunal decided that he did not need to be struck off the teaching register because he had admitted his behaviour, completed all conditions of his diversion and acknowledged that his behaviour was unprofessional.  He had also undergone and completed an anger management course and moved out of the boarding house where he had been living.

Alan Knowsley

Education Lawyer
Wellington