REMOVAL OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL (Guidelines)

Mr Cheo Chai Chen asked the Minister for Education (a) when a school principal wishes to remove a student from his school, whether he has to seek the approval of his Ministry and give prior written notice to the parents concerned; and (b) under what circumstances a school principal may remove a student from his school and whether his Ministry has a set of guidelines pertaining to this.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Mr Speaker, Sir, a school principal does not need to seek the approval of the Ministry of Education before removing a student from the school. However, he has to inform the Ministry of his action. He is not required to give prior written notice to the parents concerned. Nevertheless, in all cases involving recalcitrant and severe indiscipline necessitating removal from the school, the principal and teachers would have informed the parents and sought to work with them to help the student change his ways before the school is forced to take the ultimate step of expulsion.

A student is expelled from school only if he commits a very serious offence such as assault and if allowing him to remain in school would threaten the safety of staff and other pupils and severely undermine the good order in the school. Each case is unique with its own contributing and mitigating factors. The principal and his staff are in the best position to judge when a student should be removed from the school for severe indiscipline. If they are in doubt they will consult the Ministry.