NCJ Number
134670
Date Published
1987
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A few teachers in Australia have been charged and later convicted of criminal offenses in or out of school.
Abstract
Such offenses include assault, larceny, forgery, breaking and entering, and drug use. In South Australia, the Education Act contains several clauses that bear on the moral standing of teachers. For example, under Section 26, the Director General can recommend the dismissal of a teacher on the grounds of disgraceful or improper conduct. Under Section 61, the Teachers' Registration Board is charged with determining whether someone is a fit and proper person to be registered as a teacher. As in any organization, the need to balance educational system needs and employee rights is important. At issue are three basic questions: what offenses should the educational system and parents treat as primary concerns; at what stage and for how long should these offenses be the subject of concern; and what action should be taken so that the duty of care can be exercised. It is pointed out that evidence presented by reputable members of the teaching profession is not sufficient to substantiate a charge of improper conduct. The evidence of students themselves who allegedly experienced harassment or other criminal actions of teachers is always essential to a successful case. Further, any teacher must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.