Expel vacant student holding up distance-learning provider (4)
I believe the answer is:
oust
'expel' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oust that I've seen before include "Overthrow" , "Put out, say of office" , "Send packing" , "Remove from a position of power" , "kick out" .)