Teacher was let down by system

Former Dundee teacher Michael Barile summed it up quite nicely when he remarked that “commonsense has prevailed” after a huge cloud that was hanging over his head was finally lifted by appeal judges.

It will not remove the sense of injustice felt by Mr Barile after he was dragged through the courts for grabbing two unruly pupils under extreme provocation. Luckily, the judges yesterday showed wisdom and good judgment to set aside a lower court’s earlier decision to admonish him and substituted it with an absolute discharge. It might seem a minor technicality, but it means all the world to Mr Barile because he will now be able to pursue a new career with a charity which helps young people.

Many would view this as justice finally being done in the case, which aroused much public support for him and widespread condemnation of the heavy-handed decision to prosecute in the first place. The behaviour of the boys in question was appalling. Pupils have rights, but so do teachers who see the balance tipped against them. Mr Barile needed protection and support in the face of such extreme provocation, but appears to have been let down by the system on both counts.