Teachers’ Power or Parental Fines | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 3, 2026 · 1m

Act Party proposes bold new classroom discipline measures, letting teachers use “reasonable force” to remove disruptive students and fining parents up to $3,000 if they skip behavioral interventions. Championed by candidate Paul Henry, the plan argues tough discipline is needed to restore education standards—but critics like PPTA president Chris Abercrombie warn it risks sliding into corporal punishment, ignores root causes, and could endanger both students and staff. The debate hinges on whether physical intervention is the answer—or if schools need more support, not stricter control. Listen…