Darwin Middle School teacher charged after allegedly hitting student

A Darwin teacher has been charged after he allegedly hit a student and caused serious harm. Read the latest.

Darwin Middle School.

Updated, March 20: A Darwin teacher is set to face court after he allegedly hit a student.

An NT Police spokeswoman said the 53-year-old man was arrested following the alleged incident at Darwin Middle School on Tuesday afternoon.

She said the teacher was charged with unlawfully causing serious harm and aggravated assault.

The teacher will front the Darwin Local Court on April 9.

An Education Department spokeswoman said the Department would not be able to provide further cmmentary regarding the alleged incident.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the alleged attack was “shocking all around”.

“It’s shocking that the teacher got to that stage, because literally - they’re allegations at this stage - but that’s the end of your career if you are touching a child in education in the Northern Territory,” she said.

Ms Lawler said there were agreements across Australia that would prohibit someone found guilty of such an offence from working as a teacher anywhere in the country.

“It isn’t something that you want to see at all and I’m sure the education department is managing and handling this incident very carefully.”

On Tuesday afternoon, it was circulated online that Darwin Middle School went into lockdown following reports there had been violence on school grounds.

A Department of Education spokeswoman did not confirm the school had gone into lockdown but said an incident on school grounds had been handed over to NT Police.

“The Department is aware of a physical altercation between a teacher and a student,” she said.

“Violence in any form in our schools is unacceptable.”

The spokeswoman said the department was co-operating with the investigation.

“This matter is now under police investigation and we’re working with police,” she said.

“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority and we continue to work closely with all our schools to provide a safe learning and work environment.”

NT Police has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Darwin Middle School teacher charged after allegedly hitting student