Dr Yusuf Dadoo Primary School is committed to providing an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning by:
The Code of Conduct spells out the rules regarding learner behaviour at school and describes the disciplinary system to be implemented by our School concerning transgressions by learners. The code of Conduct applies to all learners while they are on the School premises or when they are away from the School representing it or attending a School function.
Section 8(4) of the SA Schools Act provides that all learners attending a School are bound by the Code of conduct. All learners attending the School are expected to sign a statement of commitment to the Code of Conduct (Annexure A). The administration of the Code of Conduct is the responsibility of the Disciplinary committee of the School.
The Code of Conduct is a document that lays down clear guidelines about what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in a school. It is similar to the school rules. The aim of the School’s code of conduct is: Create a proper learning environment .In the past schools depended on meting out corporal punishment as a way of enforcing compliance. But the Constitutional Court has outlawed corporal punishment in line with the South African School Act (SASA) act No 84 of 1996s(10)(1). The code of Conduct principle was laid down in SASA, where it was stated that the function of a Code of conduct is: “to establish a disciplined and purposeful school environment”.
This Code of conduct is an integral part of the school Policy and must be adopted by all stakeholders for “ownership” purposes.
Consists of the following:
The primary factor dictating behaviour of learners is that they should at all times be committed to their responsibilities of learning at school. This implies that their behaviour has to constitute a disciplined and tolerant manner of dealing with each other, with the teachers as well as the environment.
Dealing with infringements must always be informed by the following Fundamental principles:
The School rules are intended to establish a disciplined and purposeful environment to facilitate effective teaching and learning at our School. Nothing shall exempt a learner from complying with the School rules. Ignorance of School rules is, therefore, not an acceptable excuse.
Parents/guardians, learners, teachers and School Governing Body (SGB) members are jointly responsible for ensuring that all learners attend School.
The School will not be held responsible for theft of or damage to personal belonging on school premises (e.g. cell phones, bags, books and clothing).
The School is a place of safety where laws pertaining to public spaces are applicable.
Learners wishing to park their bikes on the School premises must first obtain permission from the School to do so and make use of the areas specifically demarcated for this purpose.
Involvement in activities making up the School Enrichment PROGRAMME forms a valuable and integral part of the holistic education of every learner. All learners are, therefore, expected to become actively involved in at least on (1) sport or cultural activity per term.
Religious practices, conduct or obligations that relate to the core values and beliefs of a recognised religion and that are in conflict with any rule contained in this code of Conduct will be accommodated by a deviation from this Code of conduct by the Governing Body under the following conditions:
“Misconduct: means misconduct committed by a learner and includes the following:
Which:
DUE PROCESS guarantees a learner a fair hearing before a learner may be suspended for a period of one week or be expelled from the school by the Head of the Education Department. The SGB will keep a record of the proceedings of the hearing. During the hearing the learner will be allowed legal representation.
Serious misconduct will be investigated by the police and handled in terms of the Government notice and regulations promulgated by the Members of the Executive Council in the Provincial Gazette of the provinces concerned.
Democracy
Non-Discrimination and Equality
Privacy, respect and dignity
Non-violence and the freedom and security of a person
Freedom of expression and right to demonstrate present petitions
School Environment
Education
School and Classroom Rules
Classroom rules are designed to give effect specifically to the relationship between educators and learners in the classroom. All learners will to be provided with a copy of the classroom rules
Security and Care of School Property
School Attendance
The ultimate responsibility for learner’s behaviour rest with their parents or guardians. Parents are expected to
All learners will abide by the disciplinary system that has been developed to assist and guide learner behaviour in the school.
Offences are graded according to the nature and degree of seriousness of the offences, of which Grade 4 offences are the most serious. See Annexure B, Table 1 for a list of offences making up each of the grades 1, 2, 3 and 4.
The grade of an offence will determine the procedure to be followed.
All Grade 3 offence will immediately be reported to the Grade. The Grade Head will refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee who will, depending on the severity of the offence, determine whether to convene a disciplinary hearing or a tribunal hearing. The parent/guardian will be advised in writing, a minimum of five (5) days before the designated date that a hearing has been convened.
All Grade 4 offence will immediately be reported to the Grade Head. The Grade Head will refer the matter to the Principal who will immediately file a report with the SAPS and convene a tribunal hearing. The parent/guardian will be informed immediately of the offence and be advised in writing, a minimum of five (5) days before the designated date that a hearing has been convened.
The following list of interventions and corrective measures used by the School are aimed at correcting behavior before suspension and expulsion:
Conduct that may lead to suspension/exclusion includes, but is not limited to, the following:
The Governing Body authorises the Principal or Deputy Principal to institute suspension, as a precautionary measure, with regard to a learner who is charged with a serious misconduct offence as contemplated in section 8 of the SA Schools Act.
The following official forms will be used for misconduct and disciplinary hearings:
The Disciplinary Hearing Committee will consist of the following members:
The hearing will also be attended by the learner, and any other learners/he may need his/her defence.
Disciplinary measures that a Disciplinary Hearing Committee may impose include:
The Tribunal Hearing Committee will consist of the following members:
The Principal /Discipline Officer will keep on record copies of all documentation relating to the offence, the conduct and findings of the hearing, and the disciplinary measures imposed.
The Principal/Discipline Officer will furnish the relevant Grade Head and register teacher with all the information necessary for their records.
The Chairperson of the Committee will lead proceedings and:
The Chairperson must inform the learner of his/her rights:
To Download the Code of Conduct Annexures and an overview of List of the possible disciplinary sanctions to
be applied for grades 1 to 7.
To Download the Code of Conduct and an overview of List of the possible disciplinary sanctions to
be applied for grades 1 to 7.