The Big Question: Why are pupils making so many false allegations against teachers?

By Richard Garner, Education Editor

Are the problems caused by these allegations really so bad?

Yes...

*A staggering 28 per cent of teachers say they have had a false allegation made against them by a pupil

*Some teachers have had to wait more than two years before they are cleared

*Some of those eventually declared innocent have found it too traumatic to return to the classroom

No...

*The Government has declared that teachers should not automatically be suspended if an allegation is made

*The ATL survey showed it was possible to carry on teaching a pupil even after a false allegation

*The Government's call for teachers' right to anonymity during an investigation will protect them from stigma

 

The Independent