RISKS IN TEACHERS ACTING AS COPS

Teachers have every reason to be nervous about tough new powers that
will allow them to search students they suspect are carrying drugs or
weapons.

The new guidelines are expected to be released by the Ministry of
Education and will mean teachers can search pockets and bags and even
conduct body searches.

This paper also reported at the weekend that principals were concerned
this could make them and their staff vulnerable to assault-related
complaints.

On one hand, the new powers make sense. In September last year, the
Bay of Plenty Times revealed the findings of an investigation that
showed acid, knives and several other weapons had been brandished in
more than 200 violent incidents in Western Bay secondary schools since
2005.

One of the most high-profile cases was of the 13-year-old boy who
stabbed his Te Puke High School teacher in May. Other cases involved
children possessing knives and using knives to make threats or assault
others.

Drugs are also more prevalent these days than they were 20 years ago
and it is crucial teachers have the tools to protect themselves and
students.

But searching students has the potential to go horribly
wrong.

Teachers are trained to teach - not act as police officers.

It would be every teacher's nightmare that in trying to diffuse a
potentially dangerous situation they end up being accused of assault
or even inappropriate touching.

They also put themselves at risk of being injured.

There is also the remote chance of a rogue teacher abusing their
powers.

If these powers are introduced, teachers should use them only in
extreme circumstances where they believe the safety of others is at
stake.

They should ensure they have at least one other teacher present or,
better still, call the police.

The suspicion that a child might have some cannabis in their pocket is
not a matter of immediate safety and it is better that police are
called in to deal with this type of matter.

Common sense must prevail.