Koksijde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A teacher from Ter Duinen Hotel School in Koksijde was suspended after alleged misconduct during a trip abroad. Principal Peter Verbeke confirmed police involvement and a disciplinary investigation.
As HLN News reported, a teacher from the Ter Duinen Hotel School in Koksijde, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, has been suspended following allegations of inappropriate behaviour during a school trip abroad.
The incident reportedly took place while students and staff were participating in an extracurricular activity. A student later contacted the authorities, leading to both a school disciplinary investigation and a police inquiry.
What led to the suspension of a Koksijde teacher abroad?
Principal Peter Verbeke confirmed that the school acted immediately after receiving the complaint.
“A few days ago, we suspended one of our teachers, and a disciplinary investigation is now underway,”
he said.
“The police have also been informed. We cannot give more details at this time, but every report is treated with the greatest seriousness.”
School management said the decision was made to ensure a fair process and to protect everyone involved.
The teacher will remain suspended until both investigations are completed. Authorities are working closely with the school to review the facts. School officials said their main concern is the safety and well-being of students and that every effort is being made to maintain a respectful and secure learning environment.
In Belgium, this is not the first time a teacher has faced suspension over allegations of misconduct involving students. In a previous case, a teacher at a vocational nursing school in Lier was removed from duty after students reported receiving inappropriate messages and requests for photos. Another incident occurred in 2019 at a school in Izegem, where a teacher was accused of having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student, leading to an internal and legal review.
Similar concerns have also been reported abroad, including an October 2022 case where a sports teacher on a school trip to Belgium was disciplined for allowing underage students to drink alcohol.
Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
