THE CONSEQUENCES OF REMOVING ‘COMMON SENSE’: Teachers plea for help with violent students

Radio NZ 2 October 2016
Family First Comment: “What a number of educators are asking for is further protection unded the Education Act, which will actually authorise teachers to exercise restraint in those rare circumstances when they actually need to physically restrain students.”
In other words, we need new laws because we replaced ‘common sense’ with political correctness!
New guidelines to deal with violent students have been welcomed but secondary school teachers say more needs to be done.
Some want the legislation reviewed to give them more protection when dealing with violent incidents.
Guidelines are due to be released by the Ministry of Education in the next few weeks on how to manage the seclusion and restraint of violent students.
Secondary Principals Association executive member Patrick Walsh said teachers needed more protection when dealing with difficult, violent situations.
The two sets of guidelines due to be released next term were good, but teachers needed to feel confident when they intervened that they were doing the right thing, he said.
The current Education Act did not authorise teachers to use any physical restraint on students, Mr Walsh said.
“What a number of eductors are asking for is further protection unded the Education Act, which will actually authorise teachers to exercise restraint in those rare circumstances when they actually need to physically restrain students.”
READ MORE: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/314715/help-us-deal-with-violent-students-teachers
Teachers scared to break up schoolyard fights
NewsTalk ZB 2 October 2016
Some teachers are scared to break up schoolyard fights in case they’re charged with assault.
Latest statistics show a rising tide of violence in schools, with almost two students on average now being expelled for it every week.
The Education Act doesn’t specifically allow teachers to use restraint.
And Secondary Principals’ Association’s Patrick Walsh said that needs to change.
“There’s a heightened degree of sensitivity when you consider the Vulnerable Children Act and physical violence against children that teachers are worried that if they use excessive force they may potentially be liable.”
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/education/teachers-scared-to-break-up-schoolyard-fights/