Alternative measures are being looked into for a former Paeroa School pupil who is not allowed to re-enrol in the school due to severe behavioural problems.

The Ministry of Education met with staff from Paeroa School yesterday and agreed to an alternative option that will not require a student with severe behavioural problems to be enrolled at the school.

Paeroa School.

During a meeting with the school principal, members of the board of trustees, and members of the student's whanau, special education group manager Brian Coffey made it clear the Ministry was seeking an outcome that would meet the needs of both the pupil and the school, and one that all parties could agree to.

'It was good to meet the principal and board representatives as it allowed us to listen to their concerns in person.

'We talked about some of the options available but none of them involved requiring Paeroa Central to enrol the boy.”
Brian is optimistic a school will be able to enrol the student.

He says there are still details that need to be worked on but he now has a chance of gradually getting back into education.

'At some stage it would be helpful for the school to have some involvement. But the Ministry will now work with the family towards getting the best possible outcome for him.

'I appreciate the concerns the school has about the boy's behaviour. But we also agreed that in the interests of the child we would not make any further comment about the matter.”

Read more about why the student was refused re-enrolment at Paeroa School.