SAINT LUCIA CHAPTER 18.01 EDUCATION ACT Revised Edition Showing the law as at 31 December 2005 This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner under the authority of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws— EDUCATION ACT Act 41 of 1999 in force 4 January 2000 (S.I.57/2000) Laws of Saint Lucia Education Act Cap.18.01 3 Revision Date: 31 Dec 2005 CHAPTER 18.01 EDUCATION ACT ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section PRELIMINARY 11 1. Short title .............................................................................................................11 2. Interpretation .......................................................................................................11 PART 1 13 ADMINISTRATION OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM 13 Division 1 ................................................................................................................ 13 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................. 13 3. Goals and objectives ...........................................................................................14 4. Responsibilities of the Minister............................................................................15 5. Powers of Minister ..............................................................................................17 6. Annual report ......................................................................................................18 Division 2 ................................................................................................................ 18 Responsibilities of the Chief Education Officer ...................................................... 18 7. Duties of Chief Education Officer ........................................................................18 8. Delegation of authority by Minister ......................................................................19 Division 3 ................................................................................................................ 19 Establishment and Functions of the Education Advisory Board ............................ 19 9. Establishment of Education Advisory Board .......................................................19 10. Functions of Advisory Board ...............................................................................20 11. Powers of the Board to hold public hearing ........................................................21 12. Minister not bound by advice of Board ................................................................21 13. Special committees .............................................................................................21 PART 2 22 RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS 22 Division 1 ................................................................................................................ 22 4 Cap.18.01 Education Act Laws of Saint Lucia Revision Date: 31 Dec 2005 Students Rights and Responsibilities .................................................................... 22 14. Right to education ...............................................................................................22 15. Responsibility to students ...................................................................................22 16. Free tuition ..........................................................................................................22 17. Student responsibilities .......................................................................................23 18. Students accountable to teacher, principal, and Ministry ....................................23 19. Exercise of rights ................................................................................................24 Division 2 ............................................................................................................... 24 Parents’ Rights and Responsibilities ..................................................................... 24 20. Rights and responsibilities of parents .................................................................24 21. Choice of education ............................................................................................25 22. Student records and reports ...............................................................................25 23. Damage to school property .................................................................................26 24. Parent teacher association .................................................................................27 25. School Committees .............................................................................................28 26. Wishes of parents to be considered in education of students .............................28 Division 3 ............................................................................................................... 29 Admission and Attendance of Students ................................................................. 29 27. Compulsory school attendance ...........................................................................29 28. Mode of admission ..............................................................................................29 29. Prohibition of discrimination ................................................................................30 30. Age limit for secondary schools ..........................................................................30 31. Students Register ...............................................................................................31 32. Transfer of students ............................................................................................31 33. Effect of contagious diseases .............................................................................32 34. Readmission of student on production of medical certificate ..............................32 35. Temporary or permanent closing of schools .......................................................33 36. Zoning of schools ................................................................................................34 Division 4 ............................................................................................................... 34 Enforcement of Compulsory School Attendance ................................................... 34 37. Duty of parent to enforce attendance ..................................................................34 38. Valid excuses from attendance ...........................................................................34 39. School attendance counsellors ...........................................................................35 40. Responsibility of school attendance counsellor...................................................35 41. Power to enter premises and question children ..................................................35 42. Offences against school attendance counsellors ................................................36 43. Power to deliver absent student ..........................................................................36 44. Duties of school attendance counsellor ..............................................................37 45. Reports by principals ..........................................................................................37 46. Liability of parent .................................................................................................37 47. Compulsory school age and offences .................................................................38 48. Legal proceedings ...............................................................................................39 Division 5 ............................................................................................................... 39 Discipline, Suspension and Expulsion of Students ................................................ 39 49. School rules to govern discipline .........................................................................39 Laws of Saint Lucia Education Act Cap.18.01 5 Revision Date: 31 Dec 2005 50. Corporal punishment ...........................................................................................40 51. Abolition of corporal punishment .........................................................................40 52. Suspension for minor offences............................................................................41 53. Suspension for major offences............................................................................41 54. Action by Chief Education Officer .......................................................................42 PART 3 43 ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 43 Division 1 ................................................................................................................ 43 Management of Public Primary Schools ................................................................ 43 55. Establishment and maintenance of primary schools ...........................................43 56. Management of public primary schools ...............................................................43 57. Boards of Management .......................................................................................43 58. Members of a Board of Management ..................................................................44 59. Functions of a Board of Management for a primary school .................................45 60. Submission of reports,