Disruptive pupils must be removed.

(From Irish Independent)

Sir - Much has been said about the right of each individual to an education. We are told that everyone should be accommodated within the school system, both atprimary and post-primary levels. Provided they are properly researched, these schools can deal with most pupils, whatever their physical or intellectual difficulties, assuming thatthey are well behaved or even reasonably well behaved.

However, teachers in general are not trained to deal with disruptive and often violentpupils and should not be expected to do so. Schools are now being compelled toaccommodate disruptive and/or violent pupils and they cannot exclude someone whopersistently disrupts a class.

It appears to me that the educational development of the majority of students in class is being stunted by the behaviour of unruly pupils who do not wish to be in school in the firstplace.

I believe that the State, by imposing difficult pupils on a class and thereby preventing themajority of pupils from reaching their full potential, has a case to answer. Grades are not being achieved and points are being lost due to the time spent by teachers in coping with,and endeavouring to contain, unruly pupils.

Under the Education Act schools are now being forced by the courts to accept the return of unruly and/or violent pupils who have been excluded after repeated suspensions. This is not the answer.

Nor is it the answer to transfer them to other similar schools. This procedure merely undermines the authority of teachers, principals and boards of management and spills outinto the wider community with the consequent disrespect for the rule of law in society.