Cabinet has approved a compulsory programme for expelled students.

During a media briefing yesterday, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby Dolly says expelled pupils will now be transitioned to the Military-Led Academic Training Programme (MiLAT).

She said under the law, children under the age of 16 must be in school, which would allow for their compulsory enrolment in the MiLAT programme.

She added that those over the age of 16 can also enrolled, however that will have to be at the discretion of their parents or guardians.

The Minister also insisted that the number of students expelled in any given year is very small.

Instead, she said most of those who displayed misbehaviour in schools changed after accessing student support services.

Mrs Gadsby-Dolly also spoke about school repairs, saying 15 secondary schools have been approved for comprehensive repairs at a cost of $236 million.

These join 27 other secondary schools that are currently undergoing similar work at a cost of $175 million.

Altogether, she says $1.8 billion was spent on infrastructure at schools of all levels since 2021.