Page updated on: Monday May 12, 2008
The Parents Legal Information Line for School Issues (PLINFO) operates as a free nationwide service aiming to provide parents with knowledge about their own and their children's rights and obligations within the school system. The line provides parents with information on school discipline, suspensions, searches, fees, truancy, privacy, rules and uniforms. The service is operated by the Wellington Community Law Centre and funded though the Office of the Commissioner for Children.
PLINFO is focused on solutions and based on rights. It provides parents with information about their rights as well as options about how to work effectively with schools to ensure the best possible outcomes for children. Legally trained volunteers staff the phone line. The phone is not staffed at all times and if no one is available, parents can leave messages and their calls will be returned.
In addition to the information line there is a comprehensive guide for parents called "Schools and the Right to Discipline" 4th Edition November 2005. Click here To download a PDF of this publication or contact info@wclc.org.nz to order a hard copy.