Media Release
Date: 2 December 2006
Reporting Of Teachers Council Decisions
The Teachers Council announced today that in February 2007 all decisions made by its Disciplinary Tribunal will be made
available to the public on the Council’s web-site.
Joanna Beresford, Chair of the Council, said “the Council on Wednesday
29 November confirmed its 28 September decision to remove before publication all identifying features of individuals
appearing before the Tribunal. That decision was made after consultation with key stakeholders and analysing the
practice of other registration bodies.
“Central to the decision is a wish to ensure that as far as possible witnesses and innocent parties are protected.
“It is clearly in the public interest that cases of alleged serious misconduct are not only dealt with fairly, but that
the outcomes of deliberations are made available.
“To do so will inform the profession and others about the Council’s approach to issues involving serious misconduct and
the Council’s disciplinary procedures, and also provide a body of case law.
“In addition, the Council has decided to consult with stakeholders on whether or not to amend the current Rules to
enable the Council to publish the names of teachers who are the subject of a Disciplinary Tribunal hearing should the
Council consider it appropriate to do so.
“This consultation will be comprehensive and extend beyond teachers and principals and employers to agencies such as the
Office of the Commissioner for Children, the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
“The Council is also seeking comment from stakeholders on its intention to cease reporting by way of head notes certain
Council decisions on the practising certificates and registration of individuals noting that the Council has suspended
that practice in the interim. The registration status of individuals will continue to be readily accessible from the
Council’s web-site.
“Initial investigations into complaints about teacher conduct are made by a Complaints Assessment Committee (CAC). The
Council considers it appropriate that these investigations and the decisions of the CAC remain confidential. The current
practice enjoys the confidence of both teachers and employers and is effective in resolving most complaints to the
satisfaction of the parties involved. In addition, the CAC has the power to refer cases to the Disciplinary Tribunal
that involve alleged serious misconduct, or if the teacher and the initiator cannot reach agreement after reasonable
efforts have been made. (Since November 2005, 24 cases have been referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal by the CAC.)
Ends