Warning to kids: Weekend detention is now a real option
WEEKENDS will be a privilege and not a right for all Queensland public school students when they return to class next week, as the state government hands principals a suite of new powers.
In a response to the increase in cyber-bullying complaints and allegations, students will face punishment for online misdeeds even if they occur after hours.
Principals will also have the option of handing a student Saturday detention or forcing them to do a form of community service.
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the changes will allow schools to deal with unruly behaviour "quickly and effectively".
Also included in the Strengthening Discipline in Queensland State Schools strategy was a stretching of suspension limits beyond five days to up to 20 days.
"This new legislation is aimed at reducing exclusions and suspensions by giving principals a greater scope to find alternatives for individual student situations," Mr Langbroek said.
Schools will face an audit before the end of 2014 to ensure a "strong, fair and consistent" use of the new powers.
