Kids suspended after meeting Senator

At a time when young people all over the world are being criticised for a perceived lack of interest in current affairs it might seem rather odd to punish school pupils for showing enthusiasm for the political process. But that's what happened in the USA when two students went out of their way to meet Presidential contender Senator Barack Obama.

Colin Saltry and Joey Daniel decided to give their gym class a miss when they heard Senator Obama was in town. The Senator was campaigning in Scranton, Pennsylvania ahead of that state's primary election to select the Democratic candidate for this November's Presidential contest.

When the two high school boys heard that Obama's motorcade had pulled up outside a local diner for a quick breakfast stop they dropped everything and rushed straight over to meet the candidate.

Senator Obama met the boys and gave them his autograph. The boys say he even signed an excuse slip for them. But while Senator Obama may be the favourite for the Democratic nomination and has impressed many throughout the world, his words cut no ice with Scranton's teachers. Both Colin and Joey were suspended from school for a day for leaving school grounds without permission.

Saltry said it was worth the suspension to meet Obama. But the impromptu meeting has already cost one budding political career. For while it may be some time yet before we know whether or not Obama fulfils his ambition, Saltry has already lost the Presidency - of his class. The title was taken away from him as part of his punishment. Nor did their meeting help the Senator who lost the Pennsylvania primary to Hillary Clinton.

Assistant Superintendent William King said the rules are clear, and added that if the students had approached a teacher about wanting to leave campus, they probably would have been given permission.

• Education: - from pre-school to university
  
• Is Your Pre-Teen Bullied At Secondary School?
  
• Our Parent-to-parent Talk Forums