Pupil discipline is one of the main priorities Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE) MEC Phanyaza Lesufi is focussing on.
The department recently conducted a workshop with all the principals and the school safety workers to equip them with the necessary information on how to deal with various acts of misconduct.
There are various categories of pupil misconduct and each school must develop a code of conduct to guide the behaviour of pupils during and outside school hours. “The code of conduct is developed in consultation with the School Governing Body (SGB), parents and pupils, and is adopted at the School’s Annual General Meeting. Pupils are taught about discipline in life orientation,” said the Department’s acting spokesperson, Oupa Bodibe.
In the event of serious misconduct such as bullying, sexual harassment, assault, gangsterism and violence, the department can act immediately.
The SGB must appoint a disciplinary committee and designate one of the members of the disciplinary committee as chairperson to adjudicate an allegation of serious misconduct. “Parents are informed immediately of the incident, and the perpetrators go through a disciplinary process, where an appropriate sanction is recommended,” Bodibe said.
“The guideline regarding the conduct of pupils and disciplinary proceedings in public schools is outlined in general notice 6903 of 2000 as amended by general notice 2591 of 2001,” he said.
In every serious case, psychosocial support is provided to both victims and perpetrators. Pupils, who are either a perpetrator or a victim, are afforded a confidential psychological and educational assessment.
“A disciplinary programme would also be introduced at the affected school. If the head of department (HOD) expels a pupil who is of compulsory school age, the HOD must ensure that the pupil is admitted to another school or centre of learning within the province,” he concluded.
Details: Gauteng Department of Education 011 355 0000.
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