Teacher’s registration cancelled for creating fraudulent documents

The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal has cancelled the registration of a teacher who created fraudulent documents to deceive a colleague into participating in a non-existent study about the use of corporal punishment.  The documents created by the teacher described a university study that directed the teacher to act out corporal punishment on a colleague by swatting her on the bottom with a school paddle and vice versa.

When the teacher asked a colleague to assist him with the study she advised the Principal who notified the Police.  The teacher was charged with forgery and upon conviction was ordered to pay emotional harm reparation to the victim.

The Disciplinary Tribunal found that the behaviour of the teacher breached the standard of honesty expected of teachers, reflected adversely on his fitness to work and brought the teaching profession into disrepute.  The teacher was censured and had his registration cancelled.

Alan Knowsley
Education Lawyer
Wellington