School Discipline Policy

Rationale

Discipline is the mode of living under established rules and regulations and subjected to higher authority. Discipline is the ‘Gateway’ to education. Therefore, it is imperative to have a good discipline established in the school. Students discipline is an important part of providing a congenial learning environment for all. School provides a social context in which students need to be supported while being taught how to accept responsibility for their own behavior.

Discipline is integral for peaceful and harmonious living as well as for ensuring a safe and secure school environment. It is essential for inculcating the right values, so that children grow up to be productive and responsible citizens imbued with good human values and principles. Recognizing the importance of discipline in schools where future citizens are groomed, it is essential to institute proper disciplining mechanism, so that the schools have safe and supportive environment. Therefore, realizing the significance of good discipline, this policy is prepared based on the guidelines of Ministry of Education to achieve high expectation in academic     P-18 through zero tolerance to indiscipline in the school. Further this discipline policy would guide and provide basis for the school to make timely interventions by using preventive measures.

However, any offense that is of criminal in nature is beyond the scope of this guideline will have to be dealt in accordance with the law of the land.

Objectives:

The discipline policy intends to achieve the following objectives:

• To formulate clear school rules and regulations and familiarize to the students.
• To maintain uniformity, consistency and fairness in addressing disciplinary issues.
• To create safe, supportive and conducive learning environment.
• Aim at high expectations in academic with zero occurrence of indiscipline in the school.
• Reiterate importance of bringing on board the parents and other stakeholders.

Uniform & Attire:

• All the students should be in school uniform in the school campus during the school hours.
• Gho length for the boys should be up to the knee when it is dressed.
• Wearing of half kira is not entertained.
• Possession of jewelry/ornaments is not allowed in the school.
• Uniform should be neat and clean.
• Hairs for the girls should be trimmed up to the shoulder level and tied with a red band. Hair cut in fringes are NOT allowed.
• Boys should keep the hair length of one inch.
• Girls can use two black clips to keep their hair away from the face.
• Maintain clean short nail.
• Using of makeup is strictly prohibited.

Relation with teachers:

• Student – teacher relationship should professional.
• Teachers, staff and elders must be respected at all times.
• Avoid arguing with the teachers and other staff members at all times.
• All clarifications related to anything must be done courteously and politely. Not be arrogant and stubborn with the staff and adults.

Relation amongst students:

• Should treat other students as brothers and sisters.
• Use of force which would injure or harm others will be dealt seriously.
• Relationship amongst students must always be healthy.

Culture of the school:

• Attendance: All the staff must sign in the attendance register every day by 8:00-8:15 am in the morning and 4:00pm in the evening. Any staff who fails to sign at 8:00 will be treated late or absent from the school.
• Assembly: It is must to all the teachers and students to attend the morning assembly. Proper discipline must be observed while in the assembly. No student or teacher should show any kind of carelessness in the assembly while reciting Jamyang Seldep or singing national anthem. Jamyang Seldep and national anthem should be distinctly pronounced. The head or the TOD may make important announcement or give other important information to the staff and students.
• National Flag: The national flag is hosted at 8:00 am and furled at 4:00 pm during working hours and on the important occasions by scout troops under the guidance of the in-charge or TOD. All the teachers and the students or any other visitors must stand still at the time of hosting or furling of the flag.
• Social Work: In order to keep the school surrounding clean, Socially Useful and Productive Work (SUPW) is done regularly as per the drawn SUPW routine. The work is to be supervised by the concerned TOD and Class Teachers.
• Dress: All the staff and the students must be properly and formally dressed while attending the school. Wearing of half kira, shawls and muffler are not allowed during the school hours.
• Free Period: A free period is provided depending upon the strength of teachers and students. Free periods are meant for correcting children’s work, planning and preparing teaching aids for the class. At times teachers may be asked to substitute other classes in which he or she is expected to engage the students more meaningfully. No teacher is allowed to leave the school during the free periods without informing the administration.
• Students’ Attendance: Class teacher has to make sure that the students’ attendance is recorded properly. Any child remaining absent for more than 3 days must be reported to the office. A child with 100 percent attendance will be awarded certificate of appreciation. 
• Classroom Organization: The concerned class teacher is responsible for the proper arrangement and organization of the classroom. The class room should be organized in such a way that provides opportunities for children to pursue their studies properly. Class teachers are responsible for the proper maintenance of class room furniture, equipment and materials for the class. He/she should be accountable for any loss or damage of any classroom property.
• Students’ Personal File: The class teacher must fill the information in the students’ personal file and must be submitted to the office. Any information or documents concerning the child must be stored in their respective file for reference. This will accompany the students on transfer.
• Information Facility: The change in education system is communicated to the school by the Ministry or Dzongkhag through various media such as policy guidelines, newsletter, education website etc. Therefore, it is important that all the teachers should be accessed to keep oneself abreast with the changes in policies, curriculum and system.

Preventive intervention:

A good school discipline policy will primarily ensure environment for the development of appropriate behavior in the students. The following are the preventive interventions to curb the disciplinary issues:

• Set clear standard of behavior, expectations and consequences.
• Be firm and consistent in implementing the school rules.
• Provide career education and counseling services.
• Enhance life skills education
• Address the needs of the children
• Initiate community service projects.
• Institute parent support group.
• Strengthen SPEA programs.
• Institute award system in various fields.
• Ensure active engagement of children.
• Enhance spiritual (meditation and Choeshay) and culture education (Driglam Namzha)

Offences and Sanctions:

However, if a student commit any offence or found guilty of any offence in the school, non- threatening disciplinary action will be taken referring the Comprehensive School Discipline Policy of the Dzongkhag.

Annexure:

1. The expulsion will not apply to child aged below 12 at the time of offense
2. A student once expelled cannot attend any school in the country
3. This discipline policy will be applied to a student committing offences outside the school so long a child is a student                                  
4. The offences of criminal nature (such as pregnancy, rape case, suicidal, murder and accidents alike…) will not be covered by this policy. This will be dealt as per the law of the Nation.
5. The discipline committee comprises the following stakeholders:

• Principal
• Vice Principal
• Discipline Coordinator
• Warden/Matron (if boarder student)
• Class Teacher
• SMB (In level 3)