PPTA welcomes move to prioritise schools reporting of abuse

Media Release

PPTA welcomes move to prioritise schools reporting of abuse to CYF

18 September, 2011

PPTA president Robin Duff welcomes Social Development Minister Paula Bennett’s call to Child Youth and Family to strengthen processes for schools to report cases of abuse.

“Some schools have reached a crisis point because they’ve not been empowered to act. This measure could better support schools as long as CYF are adequately staffed and equipped to handle reports from schools,” said Duff.

“If this goes ahead it will empower teachers to report problems if they know they’ll get a rapid response,” he said.

He said a new education assist package would be a useful tool to support teachers and schools in knowing what to do with behavioural issues.

“A wider level of reporting will mean better links between schools, CYF and the police,” said Duff.

Duff said the PPTA and its members had called for support for schools dealing with the problematic behaviour of students.

He said a report issued by the Ombudsmen’s Office on bullying at Hutt Valley High had shown a systemic failure by government agencies. PPTA made a wider call to action and pushed for a cross-party approach to support schools dealing with bullying.

“Bullying is a wide-spread issue in New Zealand secondary schools and the minister’s move is part the sophisticated collaboration and leadership required,” he said.

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