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Discipline of dope smoking school pupil heads to High Court…

The High Court has reserved its decision on whether a school has the power to suspend and expel a school pupil found smoking dope during school hours but off school premises. The boy’s parent challenged the expulsion after a Board disciplinary hearing.

The Courts have previously found, in other cases, that activities outside school hours are not within the school’s disciplinary ambit unless there is some clear connection to the school eg on a school trip. Even being on a school bus after school is not enough (possession of drugs).

It will be interesting to hear what the High Court says in this case, as it may help establish guidelines for when behaviour is within the school’s control/rules and when not.