Bill removing school vetting introduced

A bill introduced in Parliament yesterday changes police vetting requirements for non-teaching staff so only those who have unsupervised access to children have to be checked out.

Education Minister Anne Tolley said the bill aimed to reduce school compliance costs and improve efficiency.

One measure was to change police vetting requirements of non-teaching staff and contractors.

"The sole criterion for police vetting contractors will be whether they have unsupervised access to children on the school or early childhood education service site during opening hours," Ms Tolley said.

"Schools will be able to obtain police checks for non-teaching staff and contractors directly from the New Zealand Police rather than having to go through the Teachers Council."

An information-matching programme would identify teachers who were not registered.

Another measure in the bill would allow an entity, such as a board of trustees from another school, to be appointed as a limited statutory manager or a commissioner for a school, so under-performing schools can work directly with successful neighbouring schools.

The bill also increased flexibility around board elections and establishment boards.

- NZPA