The Teaching Council’s interim chief executive, Tom Gott, has resigned from the council’s governing board following state media scrutiny over whether his appointment breached the Education and Training Act, which states the chief executive cannot be a council member.
Gott was appointed last month while the permanent chief executive is on leave during a Public Service Commission investigation into procurement and conflicts of interest.
Although the Education Ministry and the council described the arrangement as a pragmatic short-term solution, neither would confirm its legality.
Council chair David Ferguson told state media today Gott has now stepped away from governance while continuing operational duties to ensure continuity.
The controversy comes amid sector opposition to planned changes that would give ministerial appointees a majority on the council, and as teacher groups raised concerns the appointment was unlawful.
My God where does the corruption end! How can you teach children if you can’t follow procedure ffs 🤬🤬😳