South african schools act code of conduct
A code of conduct provides for an orderly environment for the delivery of quality teaching and learning by:
- promoting the rights and safety of all learners, teachers and parents;
- ensuring learners take responsibility for their own actions and behaviours;
- discouraging all forms of unfair discrimination and intolerance; and
- eliminating disruptive and offensive conduct.
| 6. | When drafting a code of conduct all stakeholders, namely parents, teachers and learners (including the Representative Council of Learners) must be involved. The process must be participatory, open and transparent. |
| 6.1 | If there are disagreements or uncertainties on the content of the code of conduct, it is important that this be discussed and ironed out among stakeholders before the code is formally adopted. |
| 6.2 | It is therefore important that the code of conduct also makes provision for a dispute resolution process which would allow for amendments in part or the repeal of a code of conduct. |
Principals are requested to assist governing bodies in disciplinary matters in terms of Section 16A(2)(d) of the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act 84 of 1996).
| 8. | In adopting a code of conduct for learners, the governing body must act within its powers and in the best interests of the school and all the learners. |
Please feel free to suggest amendments to the DBE�s guideline, as the WCED continues to improve its approach to drafting codes of conduct.
| 10. | In view of the issues that have been raised recently, we request all schools to take a close look at their codes of conduct and ensure that they comply with the principles set out above. |
| 12. | Kindly bring the content of this circular to the attention of all personnel, members of governing bodies and parents. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
ACTING HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2016:09:06
