ACT candidate Paul Henry unveils plan to let teachers use 'reasonable force' on students
The ACT party in New Zealand has proposed a policy allowing teachers to use 'reasonable force' to remove disruptive students from classrooms. The party argues this will restore order and respect, though they explicitly deny it permits corporal punishment.
Why it matters
This proposal touches on the contentious balance between maintaining classroom discipline and ensuring student safety and legal protections.
ACT wants to give teachers the legal power to remove "seriously or persistently disruptive" students from a classroom.
The party's new policy would allow teachers to send disruptive students to a supervised space and staff would be protected when using a "reasonable and proportionate" intervention to prevent harm or destruction of property.
Announcing the policy in Auckland on Sunday, ACT candidate Paul Henry said the law would give teachers clear legal protections and the power to regain "order" in the classroom.
"Let's be honest, there are a lot of little shits in classrooms, and we need to address that if we're going to lift education standards.
"Teachers need to know they're respected [and] they need to know the law is actually on their side."
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