Tories press for teacher anonymity
Teachers should be granted anonymity against abuse accusations until a formal police charge is made, according to the Shadow Education Secretary Tim Collins.
He will use a Conservative debate in the House of Commons on school discipline today to call for the introduction of new legislation to protect teachers from false accusations.
The call has been welcomed by teaching unions – who are calling on all political parties to unite to help teachers.
Mr Collins will claim that the current system is unfair, with teachers effectively being considered guilty until proven innocent and having to face suspension, career damage and stress – leading in some cases to suicide.
The Tory spokesman is expected to say that: “The vast majority of teachers accused of abuse are subsequently cleared – but the strain and stress involved, which often includes being spat at in the street and having homes and cars attacked, means that the incidence of suicide among teachers facing this vile accusation is alarmingly high.
“It is hardly surprising in these circumstances that discipline in our schools is declining just as rapidly as stress levels among teachers reaches record highs. How can anyone impose order in our classrooms if they know that any single child uttering one single word could finish their careers?
“If a teacher tries to restrain a violent and disruptive pupil or break up a fight, he may face suspension or even the end of his career. If a child chooses to utter the word ‘abuse’, the teacher will face a presumption of guilt not innocence – and may find their professional and personal lives utterly ruined.”
The Conservatives are calling for teachers to be given a statutory guarantee that their anonymity will be preserved until a formal criminal charge is brought in court.
The general secretary of the teaching union the NASUWT, Chris Keates, said: “I welcome the recognition by the Government and the Conservative Party of the validity of the NASUWT’s call for greater protection for teachers, including anonymity for those accused.
“I hope that both parties can now unite in their common concern behind measures which will see this injustice rectified without further delay.”
He added: “NASUWT has campaigned for years for recognition of the fact that teachers are vulnerable to false, malicious and exaggerated allegations by pupils.
“Such claims devastate the lives of teachers and their families. Careers are ruined and tragically lives can be lost. Trauma and stress is often increased by the inordinate amount of time taken to investigate the allegation. This in turn increases the risk of public exposure in the media.”
The Education Secretary Charles Clarke has previously said that he accepts there is a problem with the handing of abuse claims against teachers and will look at the matter, but said he was not convinced legislation was the answer.
