The education sector's emphasising the need for change to protect our children

There's been an increase in schools accepting less-qualified teachers, and an increase in the number of complaints about teacher behaviour.

The Ministry of Education's annual report shows the number of misconduct cases referred to the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal has jumped from 51 to 155.

Early Childhood Council's Peter Reynolds says the increasing stress and demand on teachers isn't helping the situation, but that's no excuse.

He says there's no tolerance for situations where children are put at risk because of the behaviour of some professionals.