Stabbed teacher faces slow recovery

Stabbing accused Tae Won Chung will reappear in court this week. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The teacher stabbed in the back by a student is still in hospital after the knife damaged his spine.

Avondale College teacher Dave Warren, 49, is having difficulty walking and depends on crutches. He is still undergoing rehabilitation in the Auckland Spinal Unit almost a month after the March 3 attack.

Initial reports after the incident suggested Warren's wound had been treated and he was expected to be released from hospital.

At the time he told friends he wanted to return soon to the job he loves, teaching Japanese at Avondale College – something he has done for almost two decades.

Principal Brent Lewis said the injuries were worse than originally thought, and it was not known how long Warren would need treatment or when he might be back in front of a class.

Medical experts have told Warren the knife had curved in his shoulder and nicked his spine.

Warren was teaching a Japanese class when he was stabbed in front of about 20 students.

Tae Won Chung, an international student from Korea, faces a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is due to reappear in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday.

His father arrived in the country shortly after the incident and visited Warren in hospital, apologising to the teacher on behalf of his son.

Lewis said the teacher wanted the public to know he was grateful for the support he had received since the incident. The messages were still coming through and this had helped keep his spirits high.

Warren hoped to be back at school by the end of the year but had been told there was no pressure for him to return.