Hanafin vow on unruly students

EDUCATION Minister Mary Hanafin has rejected criticism that her department has failed to provide adequate levels of support to teachers who have to deal with disruptive students.

Ms Hanafin yesterday promised that she would give strong backing to any legislative changes which might be recommended in a forthcoming report by a special task force set up to examine the problem.

The minister said she was also open to the possibility of establishing special facilities known as student referral units whereby disruptive pupils would be removed from their normal classes.