Two familiar problems are in the news again:
1) Kids making false allegations against teachers.
2) Scrounging parents pursuing compensation claims against schools knowing that it will cost them nothing with a solicitor willing to work on a 'no win, no fee' basis.
I went through a few examples in my book, but basically the problem as with so many others in teaching, boils down to 'lack of backbone'
Ask yourself the following:
1) Why do Local Authorities not adopt a policy of fighting every case in Court, rather than paying out almost automatically. It might cost something to start with, but long term there would be savings as spurious claims would dry up overnight.
2) Why don't Heads and Local Authorities insist on prosecutions of claims shown to be fictitious. This is perfectly feasable on the grounds of either 'Perverting the Course of Justice', 'Wasting Police Time' or 'Conspiracy to defraud'. Even if the CPS refuses, there is nothing stopping them taking out a civil case. Again, expensive for a very short while until after a couple of prosecutions, dodgy claims don't seem so appealing.
3) For something that can be done immediately- why doesn't every teacher in a school simply refuse to teach any pupil who makes an allegation later found to be false? Those in charge might bluster but they would always back down against a united staff.
The policy of 'Hit hard and you won't have to do it for long' has been known since ancient times. It's so much better than simply lying down.
9 comments:
Because the Child Protection mafia would ban it ; the accusation is that children may be put off reporting allegations by this, then you are back to the "it might save one child" drivel.
Seriously ; I've been told off for writing something like "if you make up a story to get a teacher in trouble you could get in trouble yourself" for this reason.
The answer to number 2 is because the people raising these claims have nothing for you to take so a civil action is useless - can't pay don't need to pay.
Unless you can get a criminal prosecution it would be a waste of time.
I don't reckon these claimers are all penniless at all, they are just opportunistic parents, seeing a chance for some easy money.
We've had two this year- one was a so called allergic reaction to chemicals in a science lab, the other was a child getting a minor cut in the PE changing rooms. LEA settled out of court in both cases thus encouraging a deluge.
FC said:
"The policy of 'Hit hard and you won't have to do it for long' has been known since ancient times. It's so much better than simply lying down."
Agreed. Appeasement didn't work in 1938. It clearly doesn't work now.
It`s not their money. Easy come easy go. as long as they have their comfortable office in a self important child free zone well away from the front line it`s easier to chuck some money at the problem and then it will go away.----I ask again what are the unions views on this?But then they also have a comfortable office etc,etc,
3) For something that can be done immediately- why doesn't every teacher in a school simply refuse to teach any pupil who makes an allegation later found to be false? Those in charge might bluster but they would always back down against a united staff.
In this they would be lead by someone like yourself, Mr Chalk? They would all unite behind someone who is anti union and criticises individual members of the staff? Perhaps someone else could lead this united front, but would they be able to count on the likes of you and your fellow travellers Mr Chalk?
I cannot help but feel that you are more likely to be part of the problem than part of the solution.
Everyone refusing to teach pupils who have done serious crimes when the Head won't exclude? Sounds like an excellent idea to me.
The reason pupils aren't named in the Press when they accuse teachers is because they are under 18. Teachers can be named because they are over 18.
I think the Police have a new policy of not releasing teachers names to the Press now whilst they are investigating an allegation. Mind you they still seem to come out anyway.
Isn't it the Government who the kids should be suing for a wasted youth rather than the schools themselves? Can't wait for someone to do it.
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