SCHOOL MISHAPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 July 1939, Page 11

SCHOOL MISHAPS

LIABILITY OF -THE TEACHER

VI am advised that a teacher is liable in connection with an accident that occurs to one of his pupils in or about the school premises only when the accident is due to negligence on the part of the teacher," said the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) in the House °£ Representatives today in reply to a question asked by Mr. I. H. MeCombs (Government, Lyttelton) as "to whether the Education Department would undertake to cover the liability.

"It would therefore not be fitting sfor me to give a genex'al undertaking that the Education Department will accept the negligent teacher's liability." In reply to a further question, the Minister said that, the position regarding accidents to teachers in the course of their employment was adequately covered by existing arrangements Meeting with an accident a teacher whose remuneration did not exceed £400 a year would come, within the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act. iThe case of -> teacher -o whom the Workers Jompensation Act did not apply would be dealt with on its merits with a view to "equitable provision being made. "Alternatively, the teacher has liberal conditions of sick leave which would generally-place him in a better position than most other workers,'' added the Minister. "The consideration that has been given in, recent years by:way of compassionate allowance to cover,cost of medical, and hospital expenses ior. teachers injured while on duty has also been such as to place teachers in a favourable position."

A number of black swans sought temporary refuge on the hafbour yesterday, no doubt driven there by the rough weather along the eastern ranges and coast. There have. been several such visitors lately.