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An Auckland Christian school under suspicion of illegally hitting children has been told it must reveal its discipline policies to Ministry of Education officials, in the latest chapter of a dispute that has been drawn out over 15 years.
Tyndale Park Christian School in Papatoetoe has repeatedly refused to disclose its punishment policy.
The Herald last year obtained documents outlining the school's "corporal correction" policy which acknowledged corporal punishment was forbidden but quoted the Bible saying, "we ought to serve God rather than men".
According to the policy, the strap must be given on the palm after consultation with another staff member, and in the presence of that staff member. Afterwards the child is to be spoken to or prayed with, or both.
Last year the private school, which charges up to $1125 a term in fees, sought parents' permission for staff to strap students.
Trust board chairman and school manager Jan Brinkman could not be contacted yesterday but previously refused to discuss corporal punishment at the school, how long the policy had been in place or whether it was optional for parents to sign the form.
The Ministry of Education said it contacted the school again last week after Tyndale Park questioned the right of Auckland-based ministry officials to request information from the school.
The ministry said it responded with evidence confirming the officials' right to request information from schools, including private schools. It signalled it wanted to meet "as soon as possible" to discuss the school's discipline and behaviour management policies.
The dispute began 15 years ago. The Education Review Office asked to see the discipline policy in its five reviews of Tyndale Park since 1992, but said the school had refused to comply.
Wainuiomata Christian College had also refused to assure the office corporal punishment was not used at the school. But it has since told the ministry it was reviewing policies this month.
