Unwanted disruptive schoolboy 'one of dozens' of cases

The child, who was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, was excluded from Wanaka Primary School after throwing a folder at another pupil and a teacher. Photo / iStock

A 7-year-old Wanaka boy who is unwanted by the schools in his area is one of dozens of similar cases around the country, says the MP who initiated an inquiry into children with learning difficulties.

The child, who was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, was excluded from Wanaka Primary School after throwing a folder at another pupil and a teacher.

Earlier incidents at the school included the boy stabbing another pupil with a pencil on his first day and being suspended twice for disruptive behaviour and biting staff, his mother said.

Other schools in the area have also refused to take him, and the boy is now being home-schooled as the Ministry of Education helps to work out a solution.

Yesterday, the boy's mother said she had not heard from the Ministry of Education, or the primary school's board of trustees.

After the boy's plight was published in the Otago Daily Times, dozens of people rushed to comment - blaming his parents, the teachers, saying he needed medication or should be enrolled in a "special school".

But Green MP Catherine Delahunty said it was too easy to lay blame and say the child's behaviour was the problem

"Those schools in Wanaka just need help. During the inquiry we have heard from schools who cope, so obviously it is possible," Ms Delahunty said. "We've got to make a decision as a society whether we're prepared to include everyone or not. We need to understand this child. And that includes the other children at the school."

The inquiry, on dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autism education, had heard from many parents who said they hadn't been able to work because they got called up to take their kids home.

Ms Delahunty said there was a shortage of support for teachers, so they felt they were unable to cope. They had been told of children who were in mainstream schools, but were sent to rooms on their own - which the Wanaka boy had been doing with a teacher aide.

"Even that is not inclusion. That's not mainstreaming, it's main dumping. And it's because there isn't the support," she said.

Wanaka Primary did not want to comment yesterday, but said it was working with the Ministry of Education. The ministry said it would ensure the child and the school had the support they needed.

Minister of Education Hekia Parata labelled the situation "unfortunate".

- Additional reporting: Otago Daily Times