NSW: New measures to remove violent kids from schools

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2006
NSW: New measures to remove violent kids from schools

Education authorities in NSW will be given the power to remove violent students from
mainstream schools without the consent of parents.

Education Minister CARMEL TEBBUTT has announced the introduction of new legislation
.. allowing the Education Department to deal with students who commit serious acts of
violence in government schools.

Powers will be given to Education Director-General ANDREW CAPPIE-WOOD to transfer a
violent student to alternative educational institutions .. when parents don't consent.

Ms TEBBUTT says the new power will only be used on rare occasions and authorities will
always try to work with parents to find the most appropriate solution.

The measures will also make it easier to prosecute parents who refuse to send their
child to school.







But opposition education spokesman BRAD HAZZARD says the government doesn't do enough
to prevent violence in schools .. and there's not enough school counsellors.

He says sending children to behaviour schools will prime them for a life of crime.

But the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations says it's sometimes necessary
for students to be sent to behavioural schools for the protection of teachers and other
students.

AAP RTV dmc/was/es/bart

KEYWORD: VIOLENCE (SYDNEY)

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