- 11.
Reminder on handling problem students
With the new school year under way, the Education Department has re-issued its circular on handling problem students, in particular drawing the attention of schools to its guidelines regarding the expulsion of students and suspension from class.
The department also noted a growing concern over practices by some schools in advising pupils to leave school voluntarily as an alternative to expulsion.
"The Education Department has critically examined the present situation and is of the view that such advice on 'voluntary' withdrawal is educationally undesirable, and defeats the purposes of providing schools with various resources to promote education for all abilities and to provide free and compulsory education opportunities for all children, including problem children, up to junior secondary level," a spokesman said.
"It is also noted that some parents who have been advised to withdraw their children from schools may not realise that they have the right to refuse such advice."
The spokesman said the Director of Education had clear authority to direct schools to admit students to fill vacant places.
"Schools should provide maximum possible guidance and counselling services to students with learning and behaviour problems. They should not oblige their students to leave school or withdraw 'voluntarily"."
The spokesman said schools should not expel students from school solely on the ground that they were academically weak.
Neither should they suspend students from school except under very special circumstances.
"The student in question should be allowed to continue normal schooling, pending the outcome of any investigation into the cause of his misbehaviour by the school and, if necessary, he should be referred for professional advice," the spokesman said.
Schools may suspend problem students from class for a short period of time in order to adjust their behaviour. Students on suspension from class, however, should receive proper supervision and counselling within the school premises; the spokesman said.