Schools welcome greater power to discipline pupils

SCHOOLS will have greater power to discipline and expel unruly students under changes to education law which will give more weight to the rights of other students and teachers.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin hopes to have the bill, published yesterday, passed before the summer.

The effect will be seen in the appeals process open to students who have been suspended or expelled from school for bad behaviour. Under existing procedures, an appeals committee set up by the Department of Education gives priority to the right of the student concerned to an education.