Warwick Secondary teacher.

Education Minister Jerome Dill yesterday disclosed that Chief Education Officer Joseph Christopher had granted an expulsion request made by the school's principal after a couple of meetings with the 15-year-old boy's guardians.

The guardians, the boy's grandparents, have five days to appeal the decision.

Hearings into the boy's future in the public school system were held after Warwick Secondary teacher Victor Coggin was attacked at the school gate last month.

Mr. Coggin required hospital treatment for facial injuries -- including 15 stitches to close a cut to his forehead -- after he tried to stop the student, who had been suspended, from entering the property.

The student last month was charged in Juvenile Court -- along with a 13-year-old school mate who had also been suspended -- with unlawfully assaulting Mr. Coggin and doing him bodily harm on March 4 in Warwick.

He denied that charge and a similar offence on January 3.

The boys are expected to return to court today.

Mr. Coggin, who is on medical leave, declined to comment on the expulsion when contacted yesterday.

COURTS CTS