Expulsion overhaul
MP promises school policy reforms
SCHOOL expulsions are being overhauled as a principal has revealed teachers were forced to shield a young girl from a pupil who held a knife to another student’s throat.
The State Government is revamping the expulsions appeal process after News Corp exposed cases where violent students were returned to school despite principals’ concerns for the victims’ safety.
Earlier this week, it was reported a student who plotted to murder a classmate with poisonous chemicals won an appeal against her expulsion, forcing the victim to take out a restraining order and ultimat- ely leave. In a second case, over which a principal of 20 years quit, a 14-year-old girl held a knife to a student’s throat and stalked a classmate with an intellectual disability, forcing teachers to guard her at lunchtime and after school.
The principal quit immediately after he was told the expulsion was being overturned.
“It sends the message to kids you can get away with anything and that’s going to turn schools into jungles — that’s scary,” he said.
“I’m not prepared to be the principal of a school with a kid who ends up killing themselves, or worse, a kid killed be- cause the department won’t back my judgment.”
The girl, who remains at the school north of Melbourne, was expelled from another school last year for threatening students with a knife.
Since August, while at her new school, she has been suspended up to five times for bullying and threatening to stab students.
The shocking cases have prompted the government to announce a major overhaul of the expulsion appeal process, which will give power back to victims, schools and principals. The overhaul will include: A NEW body where princi- pals can appeal overturned decisions, which will consist of independent experts relevant to the specific case.
A FOCUS on the impact on victims during the behaviour review conference, which comes before an expulsion, with an opportunity at that stage for alternative dispute resolution.
AN independent member to the expulsion appeal panel, which will now hear directly from the principal, who will outline the impact on the victim and the school community.
The principal who quit said it had become harder to expel rogue students since an Om- budsman’s report condemning expulsions was released last year.
One in three expulsions were overturned last year — 12 of the 33 appealed. There were 11 more appeals than the year before.
Education Minister James Merlino said “immediate reform” was needed.
“That’s why we’re overhauling the appeals process so that principals and students, including victims, have a voice,” he said.
“Principals will be able to put their view forward and explain their decision.
“As the Minister for Education and as a parent, it is my expectation that the safety of students is the top priority.”