Code of Conduct for Learners

 

South African Schools Act No.84 of 1996 – Chapter 2:

  • Code of conduct.—(1) Subject to any applicable provincial law, a governing body of a public school must adopt a code of conduct for the learners after consultation with the learners, parents, and educators of the school. 
  • (2) A code of conduct referred to in subsection (1) must be aimed at establishing a disciplined and purposeful school environment, dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of the quality of the learning process.
  • (4) Nothing contained in this Act exempts a learner from the obligation to comply with the code of conduct of the school attended by such learner.

AIM:

This policy aims to:

  • establish a disciplined and intentional environment for the promotion of effective education and scholarship in the school;  
  • protect the rights of all learners as encapsulated in die Constitution of South Africa;
  • ensure that all learners associated with this school at all times uphold the name of the school with pride and dignity;
  • ensure that no learner puts the school to shame by his or her conduct under any circumstances; and
  • ensure that all learners respect their property, as well as that of the school, fellow-learners, educators ad non-teaching staff.

 

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEARNERS

  • the right to work and learn without disturbance by others – not to prevent others from working and learning
  • each learner has the right to privacy, respect and dignity
  • to be treated with respect and curtecy – act curteously towards others and respect them
  • each learner has the right to personal safety and no violence
  • no corporal punishment may be executed
  • learners have the right to a fair hearing
  • learners have the right to a clean and safe learning environment and a healthy environment with clean water
  • not to be subjected to physical, intellectual and emotional sexual harassment
  • learners have the right to develop holistically and to expect educators to maintain a high standard of education
  • learners are responsible for regular school attendance
  • all learners have the right to freedom of speech
  • learners’ responsibilities boil down to committing themselves to doing all work assigned to them, in class or at home, and also to completing work when they are absent
  • it is the responsibility and duty of all learners to take care of the school’s property and the parents of any learner who abuses or intentionally damages the school’s property are responsible for repairing or paying for the damage

 

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

  • Parents or guardians should ensure that their children attend school regularly, are punctual and are not absent unnecessarily.
  • Learners who return to school after being absent the previous day should submit a letter or proof from their parents or guardian in which the reason for their absence is explained.
  • If a learner falls ill at school, he or she should report to the office, where the necessary help should be provided.
  • Learners may not leave the school grounds without permission.
  • If a learner wants to leave school earlier, a written or telephonic request should be addressed to the office and permission should be granted by the principal or vice-principals.
  • Learners should have a permission note before they leave the school grounds.
  • Parents or guardians should try not to make appointments for learners during school hours.

 

GENERAL NEATNESS OF LEARNERS

PESONAL GROOMING

  • Nails short and clean
  • No jewellery, except watches and medical bracelets
  • No sunglasses. Only prescription glasses
  • No make-up
  • No earrings for boys, only studs for girls

 

HAIR (BOYS)

  • Short and neat – no ponytails or plaits
  • No patterns should be cut into the hair

 

HAIR (GIRLS)

  • Hair should be plaited or tied with ribbon in school’s colour
  • No curly perms or dreadlocks

 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

  • Only the official school uniform and sports clothes of our school are acceptable

 

GENERAL ORDER OF DISCIPLINE

The following offences are regarded as serious misconduct and offenders will appear before the principal and SGB, where the suitable punishment will be implemented.

 

SERIOUS MISCONDUCT

  • Indecency – this includes rape, indecent exposure, pawing, etc.
  • Assault with the intention to do serious bodily harm
  • Racism
  • Ordinary assault of an educator
  • Serious intimidation of an educator
  • Malicious damage to government property
  • Theft with aggravating circumstances
  • Vandalism
  • Possession of dangerous weapons on the school grounds
  • The possession, sale or abuse of illegal substances
  • The possession of obscene material including material describing sexual intercourse in all its forms
  • Being under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances
  • The theft of examination question papers, being in possession or sale of such examination question papers

 

PUNISHMENT PROCEDURE

  • Any learner who has broken any rule and faces expulsion should be brought before the school manager.
  • The school manager should inform the parent or guardian of the intended steps and make arrangements for a fair hearing before the SGB.
  • The disciplinary procedures should take place in a fair, open and transparent way and the hearing should be closed to all except the parties involved.

 

GENERAL OFFENCES

  • Absence
  • Coming late
  • Use of offensive language
  • Improper school uniform
  • Failure to do homework
  • Breaking of window panes or other property

 

PUNISHMENT PROCEDURE

  • Verbal or written warning by an educator or the school manager (refer to the disciplinary policy)
  • Detention
  • Replacement or repair of damaged property
  • Suspension from certain school activities, e.g. sports, etc. for a specific period of time

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EDUCATORS

  • All educators should respect the learner’s right to a quality education at all times.
  • Educators should execute their duties and responsibilities towards the parents and child faithfully.
  • According to the Constitution educators should respect the rights of learners at all times.
  • Educators are expected to fulfill a role that can contribute positively towards the building of a better society by living an exemplary life in the community.
  • Educators should in cooperation with the parent and learner fulfill a role that can contribute towards the creation of a climate in which healthy learning and education based on sound values and standards can occur.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS

  • The final responsibility for the behaviour of learners lies with their parents or guardians.
  • Parents are expected to:
  • support the school and require learners to comply with all school rules and regulations as explained in the Code of Conduct.
  • take responsibility for their children’s behaviour.
  • show a lively interest in their child’s school work and make it possible for the child to learn and complete school work in a positive climate.
  • attend meetings related to their child’s education.
  • Parents have the right to take steps against any educator, learner or other person who illegally violates the constitutional rights of their child.