New classroom law - Respect it or lose it

THE laws governing how disruptive pupils can be removed from secondary school classrooms will be changed in June and come into effect from September.

It will ensure the rights of all students and teachers are considered during appeals against expulsions or suspensions. The majority will have a say about what is or is not acceptable classroom behaviour.

It has been too difficult for far too long for committed teachers and interested pupils to overcome the impact persistently disruptive students can have on a class.

Some of these disruptive students may have intellectual or psychological difficulties and they must get the support they need to realise their potential, but those who are simply disruptive cannot be allowed to continue to rule the roost, frustrating teachers and stymieing their classmates’ ambitions. Education is a privilege and should be respected as such.