The Teaching Council is disputing claims that sexual offences against students have skyrocketed

Figures released to the Herald under the Official Information Act show 13 teachers had their registrations cancelled after being convicted of a sexual offence in 2019.

In total 131 allegations were made - five times more than the year before.

But the Teaching Council says the victims aren't necessarily students.

They say the data doesn't differentiate who the victim is... or how serious the offence was.