NEWCASTLE – Preantharan Naidoo, a former Newcastle teacher, has been prohibited from teaching in the United Kingdom.
Related article: Children’s playground now a nest of illegal activities
This comes after Mr Naidoo was found guilty of inappropriate behaviour with vulnerable under-age male pupils.
Mr Naidoo, who is a graduate from the University of Durban-Westville, previously taught at Burnwood High School in Durban, as well as Lincoln Heights Secondary School before taking up a post to teach in England.
Also read: Van Niekerk Street park under scrutiny
Mr Naidoo was accused of telling at least three pupils that he loved them, touched them inappropriately, and buying them gifts. Allegedly, he also tried to buy one of the under-age boys beer.
One of the youngsters was asked to call him dad, while Mr Naidoo would in turn call him son. He had also communicated in a flirtatious manner with one pupil via text messages and social media.
It was noted allegations against Mr Naidoo were initially brought to the attention of the principal of Global Academy in September 2012. A police investigation into the matter was conducted in late 2012 and early 2013. During the police investigation, a number of pupils were interviewed and the case was later dismissed. However, the academy conducted its own investigations, which led to Mr Naidoo’s dismissal in November 2013.
Mr Naidoo was supposed to appear before a professional conduct panel of the National College for Teaching and Leadership in London last week. However, he did not attend the hearing and it went ahead in his absence.
The panel viewed his behaviour in a serious light, as he allegedly targeted at least five underage pupils who were considered vulnerable during his time at the school.
“This means Mr Naidoo is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided Mr Naidoo shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach,” said Alan Meyrick, the decision maker of the panel, on behalf of the Secretary of the State.
Mr Naidoo has the right to appeal the decision at the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court within 28 days from receiving notice of the order made on July 27.
Since the panel’s decision to ban Mr Naidoo from teaching in the UK, he has allegedly shown no remorse for his actions.
“The panel was concerned to note that Mr Naidoo had not engaged with any of the investigations into the allegations at any stage. He has provided no indication of any insight or remorse for his actions, nor demonstrated an an intention to learn from his conduct or a commitment to abiding by the Teacher’s Standards. Consequently, the panel recommends the prohobition order be imposed with no provision for Mr Naidoo to apply for itm or be set aside after any period of time,” Mr Meyerick continued.
The panel further found that Mr Naidoo sought to form strong relationships with boys in their final year.
It was believed he did this with the intention of maintaining contact with the youngsters, with the possibility of developing sexual relationships with them.
While the presenting officer in the investigations highlighted that the case against Mr Naidoo was hearsay, the panel had the benefit of seeing three of the police interviews, which provided it with sufficient data to continue with the case and decision.
Lincoln Heights Secondary School was contacted to determine whether Mr Naidoo had acted in a similar manner while employed at the school.
While an unofficial source confirmed he had taught at the school 12 years ago, comment was denied.
