Vol. 470 No. 5
87 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Education the number of circulars on discipline sent to second level schools within the past five years; the reference numbers or titles of these circulars; whether they gave guidelines on expulsion from school; whether such circulars are public documents; and, if so, whether they will be available for inspection. [19470/96]
In 1991, my Department issued Circular M33/91 entitled Guidelines Towards a Positive Policy for School Behaviour and Discipline with a suggested code of behaviour and discipline to all second level schools. The managerial authorities of each school are responsible for ensuring that a fair and efficient code of behaviour is drawn up and applied in the school. Circumstances will vary from school to school and it is only those intimately involved with a particular school who can draw up a code of discipline appropriate to that school. The guidelines lay considerable stress on the use of expulsion only as a last resort when all other sanctions have been exhausted.
A copy of the circular will be forwarded to the Deputy.
