Vol. 484 No. 2
57 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that the current practices in relation to suspension of pupils from schools are satisfactory; and if he will introduce guidelines to bring consistency and due process into these practices. [21718/97]
School discipline matters are the responsibility of individual school authorities. However, my Department has issued guidelines to assist schools in discharging their responsibilities in this area.
The purpose of the guidelines is to ensure that good practice obtains in the way in which discipline matters are dealt with by schools generally. While the guidelines recognise that there is a need for sanctions, including temporary suspension, in order to register disapproval of unacceptable behaviour, they stress the need for proportionality of response to incidents of misbehaviour. In reaching decisions in individual cases, school authorities have to balance carefully the needs of individual students with their responsibility to the general body of their students. In the context of imposing sanctions, schools are advised that they should ensure that the rules of natural justice apply and pupils are advised of their right of appeal.
It is also open to parents who encounter difficulty with schools in relation to disciplinary matters generally to bring their concerns to my attention and I will arrange for appropriate inquiries to be made in each case.
Proposals in the area of pupil exclusions generally are under consideration within my Department at present and will be addressed further in the context of forthcoming legislation.
