Surrey teacher suspended for inappropriate messages and cursing | Daily Hive

Surrey teacher suspended for flipping off students, supervising exam at Starbucks

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A Surrey teacher has been suspended for a second time in less than two years after a series of inappropriate behaviour inside and outside of the school.

According to a decision from the British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, School District No. 36 in Surrey submitted reports about Hussan Ali Riasat regarding two separate matters to the Commissioner under Section 16 of the School Act.

The decision states that Riasat holds a valid Professional Certificate of Qualification and was employed as a high school teacher in the Surrey district.

“Failed to maintain appropriate boundaries”

During the 2021/2022 school year, there were notable instances of inappropriate behaviour. The consent resolution agreement by the Commissioner states that the first matter arose when Riasat told two students that an unnamed student had engaged in self-harm, and that he was upset that the school counsellor did not get him involved.

The decision goes on to explain a second incident where Riasat attempted to help a group of Grade 10 students settle a conflict within their friend group. Two of the students, Student B and C, had requested his help as he was their English teacher at the time.

“When attempting to mediate issues between this friend group in May and June 2021, Riasat failed to maintain appropriate boundaries between himself and the students, which included sharing details about his personal life with them,” said the Commissioner in the report.

This included writing what the Commissioner described as overly familiar and inappropriate messages, as well as leaving an inappropriate voice message for the two students.

An example given was Riasat writing a Microsoft Teams message to Student B, describing their behaviour as “insanely childish and rude” and stating that he would only “help people who want to be helped.” He also wrote to a third student that Students B and C were “manipulative” and one had a “bitchy attitude.”

The decision also outlined how Riasat told another student, who was the president of a school club, that Student B was a bully and that they “might want to look into that.”

“Riasat also told Student E that Student E could not tell anyone that he was the source of this information,” wrote the Commissioner. “As a result of this conversation, Student B was removed from the club.”

Due to his behaviour concerning the friend group conflict, Riasat was issued a letter of discipline by the district, which also suspended him for five days in October and November 2023. The District also required Riasat to finish a boundaries course by Sept. 1, 2024, but the decision states that he has not yet completed it.

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“Gave the students the middle finger”

The Commissioner then outlined the series of events that took place in 2024, which led to Riasat’s second suspension by the Surrey School District.

The first occurred in May of that year when Riasat walked by some students in the school’s hallway. According to the report, a student made a comment about someone being bald.

“Riasat turned around and said, ‘What the f*** did you just say to me?’ A Grade 9 student said, “Who the f*** are you talking to?” Riasat responded: “You.” Riasat then said: “F*** you, b****,” and gave the students the middle finger as he walked away, stated the report.

The report then made note of a second incident in June 2024 when Riasat was on medical leave and acted as an invigilator for a Surrey student writing a final Anatomy and Physiology 12 exam for the Surrey Academy of Integrated Learning (SAIL).

The student, who did not attend the school where Riasat taught, wrote the exam under the teacher’s supervision at a local Starbucks around 5:45 p.m.

“When invigilating the exam, Riasat had logged in using a personal device and not a District-issued device,” wrote the commissioner. “Under District policy, SAIL exams must be completed on District-issued devices and must also be written and invigilated at a school site.”

The consent resolution agreement noted that on June 17, 2024, Riasat resigned from the District, effective June 19, 2024. It also laid out the consequences for his”repeated lack of understanding of appropriate professional boundaries.”

That includes a two-day suspension of his certificate of qualification from June 25 to June 26, 2025, and the requirement for him to successfully complete the Reinforcing Respectful Professional Boundaries course through the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

“With respect to both Matter 1 and Matter 2, Riasat repeatedly failed to role model appropriate behaviour and did not treat students with acceptance, dignity and respect,” wrote the Commissioner, who did note that Riasat accepted responsibility and was apologetic for his actions in the friend group conflict.

The report also highlighted that Riasat’s actions, including working when he had called in sick and administering an exam in breach of District policy, undermine public confidence in the profession as well as the education system.

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