THE parents of a 16-year-old boy who claims he was expelled from school because he had experimented with cannabis said they will appeal the school's decision to the provincial superior of the Sacred Heart Missionaries who run the secondary school in Co Cork. The family has received messages of support from a number of politicians and Cork Fianna Fail TD, Mr Batt O'Keeffe, has promised to raise the matter in the Dail as soon as possible.
"Placing difficulties in the way of a child's right to continue his education to Leaving Certificate is a serious matter and one which the Department of Education should have a policy on, especially if there is any suspicion that the student is being punished for a minor misdemeanour over which his parents acted very responsibly. We spend large sums of money educating people about the dangers of drugs; if we are to punish people when they face up to their responsibilities, this money is being wasted," he said.
The youth's father, who has asked not to be named, said they will appeal the decision by the headmaster and board of management of Sacred Heart College, Carrignavar.
"He wants to do his Leaving Certificate and was due to go into fifth year but has lost out a few weeks already because the headmaster would not allow him back to the school. We don't know where we can turn now. It all seems very unfair," he added.
