Media Release Office of the Commissioner for Children Annual Report

Commissioner for Children 7 November 2001

Call For Education Review Tribunal Renewed

"A child’s right to be enrolled or to remain at school would be enhanced by an education review tribunal," said Commissioner for Children, Roger McClay in his Annual Report tabled in Parliament today.

In the report the Commissioner said that it was of fundamental importance that there was an ability to review decisions made about school stand downs, suspension and exclusion. Mr McClay noted that "adults have rights to appeal or review authorities in many sectors and it is clearly discriminatory for children and young people to not be able to access this right". Mr McClay goes on to explain that "the social cost of the current high suspension rates and low attainment will be to the detriment of society and future generations".

During the 2000–2001 year the Office of the Commissioner for Children had financed the continuation of the Parents Legal Information Line for school issues. Mr McClay’s report indicates that that service had shown four main complaint categories from students and parents in conflict with schools. These were:

- school suspensions, exclusions and expulsions

- special needs

- school fees

- inappropriate disciplines.

"The lessons to be learned and the actions which might be taken, confirm the need to establish an independent Education Review Tribunal" concluded Mr McClay.

Office of the Commissioner for Children Level 12, 86-90 Lambton Quay PO Box 5610 Lambton Quay WELLINGTON

phone: 4711 410 phone fax: 4711 418 fax

email: children@occ.org.nz email

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