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An Auckland mother says she will complain to the Education Ministry this week after her son was expelled from school for a tattoo on his arm.
Zavier Bygrave, 17, was expelled from Sacred Heart College, despite saying he would cover up the arm with a long-sleeved shirt, the Sunday Star Times reported today.
The elbow-to-wrist tattoo, depicting the late American rap musician Tupac Shakur, was a $300 Christmas present from his mother, Cindy Bygrave.
She said neither she not Zavier knew tattoos were banned at the Catholic school, where exceptions are made for cultural, religious and health reasons.
She said her complaint to the ministry would be on the basis that his son's expulsion was discriminatory and breached his human right.
Principal Jim Dale said expulsion was unavoidable because the tattoo was "highly inappropriate".
- NZPA
