January 21, 2014
Queensland State school principals will have greater powers to discipline students – including ordering Saturday detentions – when school starts back next week.
Principals will also be able to discipline students for actions that occur outside school, for example, online bullying.
“Principals can now deal with disruptive behaviour quickly and effectively, with less regulatory burdens,” Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said.
He said principals would be able to implement solutions that best fitted the unique needs of their own school community.
“These changes will importantly also expand principals’ abilities to discipline a student for actions outside school, including online bullying,” Mr Langbroek said.
“They can also carry out disciplinary measures on non-school days, for example a Saturday detention, and students may now be required to participate in Community Service Interventions as a consequence of their behaviour.”
He said other changes included the extension of short-term suspensions from up to five school days to up to 10 school days, and long term suspensions, which can now be between 11 to 20 days.
“All Queensland State schools will be audited before the end of this year to ensure strong, fair and consistent discipline,” he said.
“This new legislation is aimed at reducing exclusions and suspensions by giving principals a greater scope to find alternatives for individual student situations.
“It also includes an enhanced commitment to alternative learning centres that provide specialised support to students with complex needs.
“Schools still have an obligation to provide an education program to all students, including those who have been suspended and proposed for exclusion from school.”
