Pubdate: Fri, 14 Apr 2006 Source: Mirror, The (UK) Copyright: 2006 The Mirror Contact: http://www.mirror.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1161 Author: Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) DRUG TEST IN SCHOOLS SAYS KELLY Random drug testing could be introduced in schools, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly suggested yesterday. She told a teachers' conference it was a "hugely effective" way to tackle abuse. She was keeping an "open mind" after she saw the scheme at work in the Abbey School in Faversham, Kent. The NASUWT annual conference in Birmingham heard "new challenges" to discipline were emerging all the time. Mrs Kelly said: "I will work with the NASUWT and others in developing appropriate solutions." Results at Abbey School improved after testing was introduced last year. Each week 20 pupils are checked for cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. Mrs Kelly was laughed at when she told delegates she thought pupil behaviour was generally improving. A survey of 800 teachers found 71 per cent considered resigning because of poor discipline. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin