The President of the Fiji Principals Association Kamlesh Prasad says students will be expelled or suspended from school if they are involved in substance abuse, are habitual offenders or the student is a threat to other students in the school.

Prasad says that a teacher’s first course of action when dealing with discipline issues is to counsel them and this will continue to ensure that students get the help that they need to continue with their education.

Meanwhile Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy has strongly stated that they have now decided to immediately remove all students from our schools who pose a danger to fellow students or the teachers.

Reddy says as such, they will, under no circumstances, tolerate anyone disturbing the schools learning environment or distracting other students from fulfilling their dreams.

He says the School Heads are addressing students from day one that they must conduct themselves in an utmost professional manner at all times and there is no alternative to this call.

Reddy stated that if, despite this repeated advice, they still find some students who are there not to study but to engage in mischief making, then they will immediately expel them from the school.

He has also called on parents to talk to their children before it’s too late.

Reddy says once the child is expelled, they will not entertain any appeals adding that schools are not Rehabilitation Centres.

He says they do not have time and resources to separate mischief‑makers and rehabilitate them.