Morality teacher who showed pupils exam questions avoids ban
AS a teacher of morality, her bosses might have expected her to be squeaky clean in the classroom.
But Tunde Szombathy has been reprimanded by a watchdog after she showed pupils exam questions ahead of an assessment.
She went in front of a General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) hearing last month after giving fourth-year students an insight into their preliminary exam in December, 2017.
Miss Szombathy, originally from Hungary, taught religious, moral and philosophical studies (RMPS) at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire.
Prior to the hearing, Miss Szombathy admitted all the charges against her which the GTCS said ‘lacked integrity’.
The exam was supposed to be held under strict Scottish Qualifications Authority regulations, but Miss Szombathy let pupils photograph exam questions in class before it.
On being discovered, Miss Szombathy panicked and tried to lie her way out of the situation, but then said she acted as she did for the benefit of the children.
After having recently arrived from Hungary and being new to the area, she said she suffered from ‘social and professional isolation’.
Her legal representative, John Muir, told the GTCS she had been ‘confused, lonely, anxious, isolated, doubted her ability as a teacher’ and that she had ‘various personal and health issues’ at the time.
During the hearing, Miss Szombathy also accepted that she had a lack of familiarity with the education system in Scotland.
The head of RMPS at the school said she had ‘concerns’ over Miss Szombathy’s teaching performance and understanding of assessments.
Another colleague confirmed that two students had shown her pictures of the exam questions that Miss Szombathy showed her class prior to the examination.
Due to her actions, a new preliminary exam paper had to be written for the year.
After hearing all the evidence, the GTCS said a reprimand should be recorded on her teacher’s registration for one year.
The panel said: ‘The panel considered the teacher’s character and in particular the fact that she was teaching in a second language, and her vulnerability due to personal and health issues.
‘The panel considered the testimonials provided and noted that there may be cultural differences in the way that insight, explanation and remorse were expressed by the teacher compared to others.
‘Having considered all the relevant factors, the panel ordered that a reprimand be recorded for a period of one year.’
Last month, an art teacher at a top private school who gave children extra time during exams and allowed them access to their mobile phones was struck off.
Bing Wang, 44, was employed at the £12,000-a-year Glenalmond College boarding school near Perth.
Allegations by pupils led to an investigation into his conduct. He was then called before the GTCS.
The panel found he had let a pupil stay with him at his home during half-term in April 2017 without letting colleagues know. He also labelled a female pupil ‘stupid’ and an ‘idiot’.
In a written ruling, the GTCS said: ‘As the panel determined that the teacher is unfit to teach, it directed that the teacher’s name be removed from the register.’
‘She had personal and health issues’