Principal believes Benson-Pope OK if acted within law

Martin Elliott from Fraser High, Hamilton, believes many male teachers aged over 50 could face brutality claims

17 May 2005
Associate Education Minister David Benson-Pope may not be the only older or former teacher facing claims of brutality.

The MP has stepped down from his portfolios while an independent investigation is carried out into his teaching methods during his 24 years working at Bayfield High School in Dunedin.

Martin Elliott, the principal of Fraser High School in Hamilton, says corporal punishment was once legal and proper. He estimates 85 percent of male teachers over the age of 50 could probably face similar accusations, but says as long as teachers acted within the law at the time, there is little issue.

The allegations from the five accusers include a tennis ball being stuffed into a student's mouth, tennis balls being thrown at noisy students and a student being hit causing his nose to bleed.

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