The Ministry of Education report on expulsion shows there was a clear link between the socio-economic mixes of schools and the removal rates. "Students from the lowest quintile schools are five times more likely to be excluded than students in the highest group," the report said.

The report found that last year schools expelled more Pasifika students than any other group and stood down more Maori students than any other group.

It found the most prevalent reasons for expulsion and exclusion were drugs, continual disobedience, and physical assault on other students.

Secondary Principals' Association of New Zealand president Patrick Walsh said it was good to see stand-down and suspension rates decrease, but boys and Maori leading the statistics was a concern.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Image: The B.S. Report