§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what disciplinary action his Department advises should be taken against teachers who are found to have used illegal drugs. [134716]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisWe take a very serious view of all cases in which teachers are convicted of offences involving illegal drugs, but under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, as with previous legislation under the previous administration, it is for governing bodies of schools to decide how to exercise their disciplinary powers in particular cases of misconduct. They must treat each case on its merits. In our experience employers also take these cases very seriously, however, and a teacher who is convicted of an offence involving illegal drugs will almost invariably be dismissed. Such cases are also reported to my Department so that the Secretary of State can consider exercising his powers under the Education (Restriction of Employment) Regulations 2000 to bar the person from further employment as a teacher, or other work involving regular contact with children or young people in the education service.