- Radicalised students could soon be banned from classroom in New South Wales
- Legislation expected to be introduced into the NSW state parliament this week
- One student was stopped from flying to Syria where he planned to fight for ISIS
- The principal couldn’t ban him because his actions weren’t related to the school
- Proposed changes will see schools given the power to ban radicalised pupils
- ‘It’s about time,’ one wrote on social media and another said: ’30 years too late’
Radicalised and violent students could soon be banned from the classroom in a major overhaul of school safety laws.
Legislation is expected to be introduced into the New South Wales parliament this week which will force students who pose a ‘significant risk’ to enrol in distance education.
Under current laws, principals are unable to take action against any student who commits a crime away from school grounds and outside school hours.
A student at a Sydney high school who was recently stopped from flying to Syria where he planned to fight for ISIS was allowed to continue attending classes because his actions weren’t related to the school, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Radicalised and violent students could soon be banned from the classroom in a major overhaul of school safety laws (stock images)
Legislation is expected to be introduced into the New South Wales state parliament this week which will force students who pose a ‘significant risk’ to enrol in distance education. Pictured, notorious Australian terrorist Khaled Sharrouf and boys believed to be his sons
The proposed changes will see principals given the power to ban violent or radicalised pupils from attending class – whether the student’s criminal behaviour took place in or outside school.
NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes said the major shake-up is designed to bring the three-decade-old Education Act in line with modern-day threats.
‘These are common sense changes to the Education Act that bring us into line with other jurisdictions,’ Mr Stokes said, according to the paper.
‘It’s a sensible solution to dealing with modern-day problems that were not anticipated when the Education Act was drafted almost 30 years ago.
A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces removes an Islamic State flag in Syria
The proposed changes will see principals given the power to ban violent or radicalised pupils from attending class (stock image)
‘The measures in this Bill are being put in place to uphold the public’s expectation that schools remain safe, secure and collegial environments for both students and staff.’
The announcement has been met with a mixed reaction on social media, with many suggesting the proposed changes are well overdue.
‘It’s about time,’ one wrote, while another said: ’30 years too late’.
Others argued the proposed changes will only serve to further alienate students prone to radicalisation.
NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes (pictured right alongside NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian) said the major shake-up is designed to bring the three-decade-old Education Act in line with modern-day threats