DISCIPLINE POLICY

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY

DISCIPLINARY POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Purpose and Rationale

The Mendrelgang Middle Secondary School must be a safe and a comfortable learning environment. For this purpose the school is committed to adhering the students’ behavior and School Discipline Policy.

The policy aims to clarify;

ü  The standards of conduct expected from all students and procedures that will be followed in case of act up behavior.

ü  It also aims to ensure that a conducive learning and working environment for staff and students, is provided and maintained.

ü  The policy will endeavor to ensure consistent, fair and equal treatment for all students when the school code of conduct is broken.

The school code of conduct is applicable at all time  when ever students are involved or engaged in school activities irrespective of where those activities take place. 

Discipline finalizing procedure

After the draft of discipline policy was finalized the presentation was made to the staffs of the school for further modification. Certain amendments were made and it was again discussed to seek various suggestions. While framing the policy the aspects like the locality, the common behavior and environment were taken into consideration so as to adapt the policy to best suit  the students and community at large. This was followed by the presentation made to the students. The policy was further reviewed and presented to the parents for final validation on Saturday, 4^th august, 2012. Thus, it was finalized thereafter with amendments upon the valid justification from both the parties.

The parties agreed that the policy would be into serious implementation with immediate effect of its finalization and in no ways subjected to changes once into implementation.

VARIOUS DISCIPLINARY LEVEL

Level 1

Minor disturbances preventing school order

This is any behavior of students which impedes the orderly classroom procedure or instructional activities, orderly operation of the school or the frequency or seriousness of which disturbs the classroom or school but do not pose or endanger the health and safety of others. Possible offences are:  Absenteeism, Tardiness, Violation of school dress code , Graffiti, Tattoos, Littering, Possession of electronic gadgets Foul/indecent language, Negative peer pressure, Mischief, Petty theft, Disrespectful behavior, Harassment, Business transaction, lying, use of abusive languages, black mailing.

The level -1 is not limited to aforementioned behavior alone.

In this level school will always try to help students through following measures:

1.   Teacher - child conference

2.   Child-counselor conference

3.   Reminder to student

4.   Undertaking letter from student Additional assignments

5.   Peer separation

6.   Detention work ranging from 3-6 days during free hours.

7.   Denial of privileges (eg. Participation in cultural programmes and games)

8.   Parent notification

9.   Suspension ranging from 5-7 days

Repeated offences (school will determine the frequency) in level 1 will tantamount to level 2 sanctions. 

Level 2

Severe Violation of School Rules

Possible offences

1.   Frequent violation of level 1 offences

2.   Insubordination

3.   Substance abuse

4.   Dishonest behavior

5.   Plagiarism

6.   Hooliganism

7.   Inappropriate relationship

8.   Possession of harmful items

9.   Defamation

10.                Prowling

11.                Discrimination

12.                Gambling

13.                Bullying

The offences are not limited to aforementioned activities alone. Any activity subjected to violation of school rules shall be included except of being criminal in nature which automatically falls under level III. It is also to be noted that the repeated offences of level II will tantamount to level III and may result into expulsion depending upon the nature of offence.

Possible Sanction for level II:

1.   Teacher-child conference

2.   Counselor – child conference

3.   Principal - child conference

4.   Principal- parent conference Discipline Committee’s intervention Undertaking letter from child

5.   Written warning

6.   Parent/guardian undertaking.

7.   Suspension ranging from 8-12 days

Repeated offenses (school will determine the frequency) in level 2 will tantamount to level 3 sanctions.

Level III

Conduct of criminal in nature

(Severe violation of school rules and national laws)

Possible offences

1.   Frequent violation of level 2 offenses

2.   Groupies for ulterior motives

3.   Damage to property (vandalism)

4.   Malpractice in exams

5.   Break-ins

6.   Battery

7.   Gang fight

8.   Fighting with teachers/staffs including supporting

Possible Sanctions

1.   Undertaking letter from the child

2.   Undertaking letter from the parent/guardian

3.   Suspension ranging from 10-15 working days

4.   Expulsion

STUDENTS’ CONDUCT AWAY FROM SCHOOL PREMISES

The school accepts complaint on student’s inappropriate behavior from outside agencies that may have a direct and detrimental affect credibility of the school. The school will evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis. At a minimum, the school will meet with the student upon his/her arrival at school, give the student notice of the concerns based on the reported ‘out-of-school-behavior’ and allow the student an opportunity to present his/her side of the story. In the event of finding that the alleged conduct will have a direct effect on the credibility of school or threatens the discipline, educational environment, safety or general welfare of students, faculty, staff and/or administrators of the school, the administration shall initiate the disciplinary procedure.  The parents/legal guardians of the student will be notified of any action taken by the administration and offered the opportunity for a conference with the administration.

Remarks:

1.   Offences related to civil case such as pregnancy will be dealt as per legal provisions.

2.   Disciplinary actions shall also be taken even if the offences are committed outside the school as per the offence and the sanctions made at various levels.

3.   Suspension: A suspension is the temporary removal of a student from school for committing either one or more of the offenses of level II and III. It shall be sanctioned for a maximum of 12 in level II to the extent of 15 school days in level III. Corrective measures such as assignment, additional works can be assigned supervised by parents, school counselor, and teachers. Child will not be accepted back until requirements are fulfilled. A child shall be staying in the school library throughout the suspension period and update the assigned task in the class through friends. He/she shall meet the designated counselor as per the appointment made. In case of a child residing in the hostel will attend all the studies. The same is applicable to the day scholar except for attending of morning, evening and night studies.

Suspension can also be sanctioned for one academic year to a child requiring       rehabilitation.

The student must be issued with a written order and handed over to the parent.

4.   Offences of criminal nature shall be dealt by law enforcement agencies such as police and court. The child shall not attend class during hearing of the case. Thus the number of days missing the class shall be considered absent. The school rule on attendance requirement shall also be applied. The child if proven guilty of the crime – both bail able and non-bail able is automatically expelled.

5.   Expulsion: An expulsion is a permanent removal of a student from school for committing more serious or repeated violation of level 3 offenses and criminal offense on conviction of the crime.  It is the last resort and can be applied after taking a series of both preventive and corrective measures through wider representation in the discipline committee including the SMB.  It should, however, be proceeded by suspension unless the offense is of criminal nature. The student must be issued a written order along with all disciplinary records outlining the measures undertaken to correct the child, transfer certificates and any other relevant documents and handed over to the parent.

6.   Expulsion may not be sanctioned to students of age 14 (on the day of offense) and below.

7.   Admission to M.M.S.S in the next academic session may be denied to those students who have more offences(offenses of level 2 and 3) recorded in the book of sanction, if further improvement measures are not initiated by the concerned student.

8.   It is to state that any parents who want to lodge grievances related to school discipline should approach the Principal or the Vice- principal. The school will view seriously on any parents or  guardian who confronts or abuse any teacher whether within the school or outside the school premise, which therein shall be viewed as 'disrespect' of the school discipline by the parent and will result to the expulsion of the child and subsequent prosecution as may be the case.

RIGHT TO APPEAL

The student/s have the right to appeal on the decision of ‘higher degree measures such as suspension for more than 10 days or expulsion’ taken under the ‘disciplinary procedure’, if found bias or unfair or discriminating.

The appeal can be put to the school principal within 3 working days in writing with a detailed account.

 DISCIPLINARY APPEAL BOARD

The principal shall, upon receipt of the appeal, convene the meeting of the ‘appeal board’ with 3 days from the date of receipt of the appeal.

1.   Principal

2.   Vice – principal

3.   SMB Chairman

4.   One SMB Member

5.   Concerned Class Teacher.

6.   Warden/Matron

In the event of reverse decision by the appeal board favoring the appellant, reasons and basis of the decision shall be documented in the minutes of the Appeal Board Meeting, and initiate corrective measures for fair, equity and justice in the administration of the disciplinary procedures.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this discipline policy framed shall guide the school to manage our own disciplinary problem and make the schools safe and conducive to learning. It is also expected that the schools will be professional and consistent in dealing with the disciplinary issues. The following are some of the expected possible outcomes:

·         Safe and secured learning environment in the school;

·         Parents are on board as active partners in the education of children;

·         Less disparity in the identification of offenses and application of sanctions;

·         Students are fully aware of the consequences for their actions;

·         Increased transparency and accountability in the school system;

·         Schools are empowered and they are more accountable for their decisions;

·         Teachers are more motivated;

·         Minimal or no major disciplinary issues;

·         Students’ overall performance improved.