The Teachers Council is defending the decision of its disciplinary tribunal to let a childcare worker convicted of importing methamphetamine continue teaching.
Bags of methamphetamine seized in a unrelated raid in 2014 (file photo). Photo: NZ POLICE
Haley Jacobs pleaded guilty in January last year to importing the drug and was sentenced to six months' home detention.
The council's acting director, Rob McIntosh, said factors in the decision were the support of colleagues and the parents of those taught by Ms Jacobs, as well as her commitment to change her behaviour.
However Early Childhood Council CEO Peter Reynolds said the decision was baffling.
"It just defies logic that the disciplinary tribunal would allow this person to continue to be a registered teacher. There are no mitigating factors that can justify that."
The tribunal has stipulated that future employers must be notified of Ms Jacobs' offending but Mr Reynolds said there was no guarantee parents will know about it.
A previous employer spoken to by Radio New Zealand said Ms Jacobs was not employed after the charges came to light, and was not being considered for another job.
