My teenage son was suspended after a fight at school, and the principal has told us that the board will hold a meeting soon. We are not sure what the process is or whether he can be permanently kept out of school. What should we expect?
Suspension is a formal process under the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Stand-down, Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion Rules. Only the principal can suspend, and only for gross misconduct or continual disobedience that is a harmful or dangerous example to others. Before the board meets, you must be told of the allegations and given a fair chance to respond, and you can bring a support person or advocate. The board can lift the suspension, impose conditions, extend it or, for a student under 16, exclude him from the school, or, for a student 16 or older, expel him. Exclusion or expulsion does not end his right to education, and the Ministry must help find another school. Ask the Ministry or a community law centre for advocacy support.
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