Correction fluid banned in schools |29 May 2008
The main reason is for consistency with the existing rule that bans the use of correction
Students are being encouraged to cross out their mistakes with a pen or pencil, as is the case in exams. This allows teachers to see what kind of errors students are making and address them accordingly.
Another reason why correction fluid – commonly known from a popular brand name as Tipp-Ex – has been banned is that students use it to write or draw on the furniture.
This is considered vandalism of school property, and the issue has always been a concern for the ministry since a great deal of money is spent on repairing furniture that has been broken deliberately or defaced by students.
The Education Act 2004 says that if a student or group of students who are still minors damage school property, their parents have to pay the value of the damaged property. If the student or group of students are over 18, they have to bear the cost themselves.
Correction fluid is the latest item to be banned in schools, along with mobile phones, iPods, MP3s, skateboards, electronic games and anything else that could be a nuisance or cause a disturbance in the classroom.