Radicalized and violent students could soon be banned from the classroom in a major overhaul of school safety laws.
Legislation is expected to be introduced into the New South Wales parliament this week which will force students who pose a "significant risk" to enroll in distance education.
Under current laws, principals are unable to take action against any pupil who commits a crime away from school grounds and outside school hours.
A student at a Sydney high school who was recently stopped from flying to Syria where he planned to fight for ISIS was allowed to continue attending classes because his actions weren't related to the school, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The proposed changes will see principals given the power to ban violent or radicalized pupils from attending class - whether the student's criminal behavior took place in or outside school.
NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes said the major shake-up is designed to bring the three-decade-old Education Act in line with modern-day threats.
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"These are common sense changes to the Education Act that bring us into line with other jurisdictions," Mr. Stokes said, according to the paper.
"It's a sensible solution to dealing with modern-day problems that were not anticipated when the Education Act was drafted almost 30 years ago.
"The measures in this Bill are being put in place to uphold the public's expectation that schools remain safe, secure and collegial environments for both students and staff."
The announcement has been met with a mixed reaction on social media, with many suggesting the proposed changes are well overdue.
"It's about time," one wrote, while another said, "30 years too late."
Others argued the proposal will only serve to further alienate students prone to radicalization.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
