Teacher suspended for impregnating student

Oct 4, 2018 | News | 0

A teacher has been suspended for impregnating a Year 12 student.

Investigations into the allegations that the teacher has a sexual relationship with the student proved to be true. Subsequently, a report was filed against him (the teacher) and submitted to education authorities.

A hospital near the school also confirmed the student is pregnant.

Daily Post understands the student has been sent home to her parents and she will be sitting her exams at the Onesua Presbyterian College.

The teacher has been suspended by the Director of Education Services, Roy Obed and is awaiting further discipline from the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), as the employer of all teachers in Vanuatu.

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Act forbids any sexual conduct or sexual relationship of any kind between teachers and students, it also sets out the penalties for the misconduct.

Regarding the recent case, the teacher-student relationship was serious, leading to exploitation.The teacher’s conduct violated the Teaching Service Staff Manual and Vanuatu Teacher Standards that govern him as a teacher with a responsibility to care for students.

The teacher has been instructed by the Director of Education to return all school assets and to leave the school premises immediately.

It was revealed that the teacher has performed a custom ceremony to the school and community following the incident.

The Director of Education Services, Roy Obed, stressed in a statement issued yesterday: “I am concerned that the increasing cases where adults, including teachers having sexual affairs with students is not only undermining the concerned students but is an abuse of the good profession.

“I am requesting parents, community leaders and the general public to take a proactive measure and to encourage children, especially girls, to consider their education as a prime investment for the good of our country.

“With the existence of the Child Protection Policy, parents and community leaders are encouraged to report cases of child abuse, especially sexual abuse to authorities so that perpetrators are prosecuted.

“The public is reminded that Vanuatu depends heavily on its human resource and the training of young people, especially girls is one of the Ministry of Education’s priorities,” he stated.

“People who abuse students and affect their future career should be prosecuted. Anyone who has information on such incidents should either contact the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Education and Training.”

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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