VEC opposes bid to force enrolment of problem pupil

A VOCATIONAL Education Committee has brought a High Court challenge to a Department of Education and Science attempt to force one of its community colleges to enrol a problem pupil who was allegedly expelled by another secondary school.

The action is the first of its type brought since the introduction of a provision under the Education Act 1988 which allows appeals to the department against refusals by schools to enrol pupils.

Westmeath VEC has brought judicial review proceedings against the department seeking to quash a decision of an appeals committee requiring that the school — which cannot be identified to protect the pupil — should enrol the pupil.