In the mid-1990s, Gus, a polar bear in the Central Park Zoo, alarmed visitors by compulsively swimming figure eights in his pool, sometimes for 12 hours a day.

The Government's $359 million expert teachers policy has proved to be the latest in a series of "epic failures" in the education sector due to a lack of consultation with teachers.

Parents of a schoolgirl psychologically abused by her headmistress are furious she has denied targeting their daughter.

A researcher has been shocked by the racist attitudes of the teachers she interviewed for a study looking at expectations for students' success.

Some British teachers are taking food to give their pupils breakfast every day because they are too hungry and exhausted to learn, says a new report.

There will be less chance of dodgy teachers resurfacing at other schools under legislation to be introduced in Parliament today, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

A professor has been sacked after he accidentally beamed porn through a lecture room projector for all his students to see.

An estimated 10,300 new entrants are just starting school - and beginning to learn the "three Rs". And their parents will soon have to learn to grapple with the fourth R: Reports.

Labour has already given a conditional tick of approval to the Green Party's policy today aimed at low-decile schools, including free after school care and a free lunch.

Schools say they know who their top teachers are and have already put some of them in the "expert" roles just announced by the Govt.

The catalyst for the PM's announcement regarding four new roles in the teaching profession is the longstanding problem of persistent and growing disparity, writes Viviane Robinson.

New "executive" and "expert" positions in schools could have wide-reaching effects - including more-energised teachers and reduced competition between schools.

A Christian college that weathered two high-profile disciplinary actions against former teachers is welcoming new rules removing teachers' automatic right to keep their misdeeds secret.

Education Minister Hekia Parata will appoint all nine members of a new agency to replace the Teachers Council.

Every New Zealand classroom will soon have access to digital devices - opening up huge learning opportunities, but also a risk of another "digital divide".

A woman banned from seeing her own daughter without supervision is set to qualify as a teacher - just a year after a Family Court judge raised concerns about her parenting.

A four-time drink driver is among three teachers convicted of criminal charges who have been allowed to remain in the classroom.

The predator of Pamapuria, James Parker, has been allowed to remain a registered teacher.

The Education Minister has defended national standards despite an independent report which found teachers get them right only 60 per cent of the time.

An ex-teacher has gained strong investor backing for his online start-up which helps people in China learn English through face-to-face lessons with Kiwi tutors.

After a horrid first year in action, the Novopay system is slowly improving.