Student behaviour policy

Violence and bad behaviour have been plaguing our education system for quite a while. In order to address those issues, the Ministry of Education issued a report entitled: “Student Behaviour Policy” in order to provide a safe, secure and supportive environment where there is responsible social behaviour. The aim of this policy is to have a common, workable policy for the management of student behaviour; to ensure a consistent approach across all schools in the management of indiscipline, to provide a general framework for schools to elaborate their specific behaviour policies as well as to support measures towards the promotion of high behaviour standards among students. Role and responsibilities School management, students and parents should each assume their responsibility when it comes to discipline. At school level, maintaining discipline is a responsibility conferred upon Rectors, Deputy Rectors, Senior Educators, Educators and School Superintendents as per their Schemes of Service. It is also the direct responsibility of the school administration to put in place effective control mechanisms that allow the institution to run smoothly. Moreover, the heads of school are required to:

• Stimulate a school-wide approach in preventing and/or tackling indiscipline
• Lead by example, be regular in attendance and punctual and be role models for the students
• Develop strategies in terms of the organisation, systems and school curriculum towards supporting the development of students’ social and emotional skills
• Work in partnership with parents to develop and support the social and emotional skills that pupils need within their school community and within the wider community outside school
• Organise and facilitate training of staff to enhance their capacity to manage challenging behaviour.

Students Each and every student is responsible for his own behaviour and it is up to him to act in a more responsible manner. The students are expected to: • Abide by their School Behaviour Policy rules • Have a positive approach to their school life • Show courtesy and respect at all times towards others • Be regular in attendance and punctual • Co-operate with their peers and staff • Recognise that no poor standards of behaviour will be accepted • Develop a sense of community and of caring for each other and for the environment • Accept responsibility for a well-ordered community at school and take a positive role in the running of the school • Demonstrate a positive image of their school through their exemplary behaviour at and outside school. Parents School alone cannot assume the responsibility of any students. Both parental involvement and responsibility are essential and parents are accountable for their children and their behaviour. They have the essential role to strive for their children demonstrating good and acceptable behaviour at all times, recognising that this has a profound effect upon their attitudes at school. Parents are expected to:

• Abide by and endorse the Rules and Regulations and any other policies of the school
• Encourage an attitude of respect for the environment, and for one another among their children
• Fully collaborate with the school in the elaboration and implementation of behaviour resolution measures for their wards
• Share discussions with teachers and the Head of School concerning their child’s education, welfare and behaviour and any concerns, difficulties or anxieties
• Encourage their child to project a positive image of the school at all times
• Ensure the regular attendance (minimum 90% attendance rate) and punctuality of their child.

Key principles of best practice Some key principles of best practice have been set for the prevention and tackling of behaviour problems. The main highlights are as follows:

• A positive school culture and climate which is welcoming of difference and diversity, supportive and is based on inclusivity; is free from any form of violence, coercion and discrimination or other causes of stress and tension; and promotes respectful interpersonal relationships across the school community
• Strong and effective leadership for stimulating a school-wide approach and preventing and tackling indiscipline with support and commitment of the whole school community
• Well-planned behaviour programmes for the implementation of preventive strategies (including awareness raising measures)
• Effective supervision and monitoring of students
• Empowerment of students and active student participation in school policies
• Support and advice services for students
• Consistent recording, investigation and follow up of undisciplined behaviour
• On-going evaluation of the effectiveness of the school’s behaviour policy and behaviour programmes.

School behaviour policy Each school must adopt a School Behaviour Policy, a formal document elaborated in consultation with the school community and setting the expected behaviour standards. A Students’ Charter and a Teachers’ Charter may also be elaborated and annexed to the School Behaviour Policy. The School Behaviour policy must have the following: • The School’s Vision and Mission statements and values • Rights, roles and responsibilities of each component of the school community • Rules, procedures and protocols setting boundaries and expectations • Rewards and incentive schemes • Breaches, consequences and sanctions • Mechanisms for control, monitoring, follow-up and support • Restorative justice practices and programmes for behaviour problem resolution. Disciplinary actions All schools must have a wide range of disciplinary actions for various offences: minor or serious. For minor offences must be dealt with using available means such that management and teaching staff can act in a firm and consistent manner in all such cases that disturb the smooth running of school activities or threaten the rule of order. Examples are: Immediate checking of misbehaviour; Verbal reprimand; Repeated or extra work where work is of an unacceptable standard; Note to parents in the Student Journal; and Issue of a warning. For more serious offences or gross misbehaviour in breach of the School Rules and Regulations should be addressed through disciplinary actions such as detentions, afternoon detentions and Saturday detentions, temporary suspension, official final warning, expulsion from school, permanent expulsion. Additionally, criminal offences should be reported to the Police to be dealt with under the relevant section of the law. The responsibility for conducting criminal investigation shall rest upon the Police and the school shall provide its full collaboration. Corporal punishment In accordance with Section 13 (4) of the Education Regulations 1957, it is unlawful to inflict any form of physical or corporal punishment on any student. All cases of reported corporal punishment shall be subject to enquiry and dealt with under the relevant sections of the legislations.