Teen Dad Kicked Out of High School After Taking 'Parental Leave'

Melissa Walker
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Jake Lee, 17, took some time away from Vincentia High School after his girlfriend Jada Brown, 16, gave birth to their baby boy Djaki in February. Now Brown has returned to classes, but Jake has been told he’s on “principal’s leave” and is banned from school grounds.

Jake’s mother Debbie Lee told the Daily Telegraph that the Australian school initially supported Jake’s leave, but since April the family has inexplicably found themselves fighting to get Jake re-enrolled. After seven months of requests, including complaints to Education Minister Adrian Piccoli, just this week the Lees were told that Jake has the option of completing a high school equivalency test or applying to another high school which is an hour away from his home.

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“The department said it was ‘not in Jake’s best interests’ to go back and we still do not know why that is,” said Debbie, adding that Vincentia High is five minutes down the road and much more convenient, especially for a new dad. “Jake wants an education and that is clearly evident and he is entitled to that.”

Jake told he Daily Telegraph that he wants to be a role model for his son and create a better life for his new family: "I’d do anything from welding to construction to the army when I finish but people who don’t pass Year 12 get a lower standard in life; people see us as failures and unsuccessful.”

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However, an education department spokeswoman told the newspaper on Thursday that the school was in continuing talks with the Lees. “The family have indicated to ­department officers as late as this afternoon that they are satisfied with the recent actions taken by the ­department in finding a solution for their child,” the spokeswoman said.

Debbie refuted that assessment and clarified that they would keep pushing to have Jake readmitted at Vincentia. “The anguish that it has caused to our family is just a joke,” she said. “An education is a right not a privilege.”

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