School Discipline Rules of Procedure – DECS Service Manual

School Discipline Rules of Procedure

Section 1. Creation of School Discipline Committee.

There shall be a committee, which will handle grave/major offenses as stated in the 2000 DECS Service
Manual. They shall be composed of chair, co-chair and member. The school principal shall designate school
disciplinary officer per curriculum year level. He/she shall also designate curriculum chairman and class
adviser per curriculum year level.

Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of School Discipline Committee

The committee shall have the following specific duties and responsibilities.

2.1. School Discipline Officer as Chair

o He/she shall serve as prefect of discipline within the curriculum year level.
o He/she shall investigate cases listed on the offenses punishable by suspension or expulsion
depending on the seriousness of the offense as stated in Paragraph 1.1.2, Section 1, Chapter III,
Part IV of 2000 DECS Service Manual.
o He/she shall secure records with confidentiality.
o He/she shall serve as mediator between the offender and the aggrieved party.

2.2. Curriculum Chairman as Co-chair

He/she shall serve as co-prefect of discipline within the year level in the absence of School Discipline
Officer who shall investigate cases listed on the offenses punishable by suspension or expulsion depending
on the seriousness of the offense as stated in Paragraph 1.1.2, Section 1, Chapter III, Part IV of 2000 DECS
Service Manual.

o He/she shall secure records with confidentiality.

o He/she shall serve as mediator between the offender and the aggrieved party.

2.3. Class Adviser as member

o He/she shall serve as liaison between the school and the parents or guardians.
o He/she shall write letters (See Appendix A) to call the attention of parents or guardians to invite
for a conference.
o Prepare the anecdotal report (See Appendix F) and safeguard confidentiality.

Section 3. Referral.

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All cases beyond the control and expertise of School Discipline Committee shall be referred to the following
offices and furnish copy of referral form (See Appendix C) attached with anecdotal report (See Appendix
F) and other supporting documents for more extensive supervision and control.

3.1. Office of the Principal

o The case needs administrative action.

o The case needs for referral to other government agency and private institutions.

3.2. Office of Guidance and Counseling

o The client manifests deviant and maladjustment behaviors.

o The client violates the school rules and regulations in spite of signing the behavior contract (See
Appendix D).
o The client needs to seek professional help.

Section 4. Jurisprudence.

All minor offenses or infractions of good discipline shall be handled first by class advisers. However, if the
case is a grave offense, the class adviser is expected to refer the case to the School Discipline Committee.
They shall call the attention of parents or guardians for a short conference (See Appendix A) and prepare
the anecdotal report (See Appendix F). When the parties involved are between and/or among different year
levels, the jurisdiction of school discipline officer shall be based on the year level of the primary
offender. The School Grievances and Complaints Committee (SGCC) shall handle all sensitive cases and
when the parties involved are between or among students and teaching and/or non-teaching staff.

Section 5. Guidelines in Attendance and Punctuality

The following guidelines in attendance and punctuality as stated in the Paragraph 1.2, Section 1, Chapter
III, Part IV of 2000 DECS Service Manual shall be observed.

o Regularity of attendance and punctuality are required in all classes. A student who has been absent
or has cut classes is required to present a letter of explanation from his/her parents or guardians or
to bring them to school for a short conference with the section adviser or guidance counselor as the
case may be.
o Attendance of students in special holidays, activities relative to their religions shall be allowed
provided permission of the school head is sought.
o A student who incurs absences of more than twenty percent (20%) of the prescribed number of
class or laboratory periods during the school year or term should be given a failing grade and given
no credits for the course or subject. Furthermore, the school head may at his/her discretion and in
the individual case exempt, a student who exceeds the twenty percent limit for reasons considered
valid and acceptable to the school. Such discretion shall not excuse the student concerned from
responsibility in keeping up with lesson assignments and taking examinations where indicated. The
discretionary authority is vested in the school head, and may not be availed of by a student nor
granted by a faculty member without the consent of the school head.

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 o Habitual tardiness especially during the first period in the morning and in the afternoon shall not
be allowed. Teachers concerned shall call for the parents of the student concerned (See Appendix
A) or visit him/her at home (See Appendix B).

Section 6. Guidelines for the School Uniform

The guidelines for the school uniform as stated in the Paragraph 1.3, Section 1, Chapter III, Part IV of 2000
DECS Service Manual are the following:

o A school uniform shall be prescribed for all students “as per agreement.” Shoes are considered part
of the uniform.
o The prescribed uniform for boys: white polo with school logo; straight cut black pants; black leather
or rubber shoes and white pair of socks.
o The prescribed uniform for girls: white blouse with sports collar and school logo; navy/dark blue
pleated skirt five inches below the knee and black closed leather shoes.
o All students shall be required to wear the official school ID in the school campus.
o The acceptable haircut for boys shall be at least one (1) inch above the ear and three (3) inches
above the collar line.

Section 7. Categories of Offenses to the School Rules and Regulations.

The following offenses shall be categorized as:

7.1. Grave Offense.

The offenses punishable by suspension or expulsion depending on the seriousness of the offense stated in
Paragraph 1.1.2, Section 1, Chapter III, Part IV of 2000 DECS Service Manual are considered grave
offenses.

o Gross misconduct
o Cheating and stealing
o Assaulting a teacher or any other school authority or his agents or students
o Smoking inside the school premises
o Vandalism, writing on or destroying school property like chairs, tables, windows, books, laboratory
equipment and others
o Gambling of any sort
o Drinking intoxicants and liquor
o Carrying and concealing deadly weapons
o Extortion or asking money from others
o Fighting causing injury to others
o Using, possessing, and selling of prohibited drugs

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 o Hazing in any form or manner whether inside or outside the school premises
o Immorality or sexual harassment
o Instigating, leading or participating in concerned activities leading to stoppage of classes
o Preventing, threatening students or faculty members or school authorities from discharging their
duties or from attending classes or entering school premises
o Forging or tampering with school records or transfer forms

7.2. Minor Offense.

The minor offenses or infractions of good discipline to school rules and regulations are the following:

o Absenteeism, cutting of classes and tardiness

o Failure to wear prescribed uniform
o Wearing of cap and the like inside the school building specially inside the classroom
o Wearing of earrings for the boys and more than a pair of earrings for the girls, outlandish hairstyles,
painting of tattoo, over accessories and body piercing
o Patronizing suspected prostitution den, gambling and pornographic places
o Using profane language to insult another
o Littering (plastic cups, bottles, candy wrappers or any waste) inside the school campus specially
inside the classroom and corridors
o Loitering and staying inside or outside the school during class hour
o Bringing, using and selling of pornographic materials
o Using different gadgets like cellular phones , i-pad, psp, etc. during class hour
o Public display of affection (PDA) like holding hands, hugging, kissing, necking, petting and
fondling
o Unruly behavior during assemblies, religious services, etc.
o Going to restricted places
o Selling stolen goods in school
o Refusal to display school ID prominently and placing stickers and other objects on school ID
o Sitting on tables, standing on benches as sitting with feet up and legs wide apart
o Writing or drawing on a fellow student’s books and notebooks.
o Borrowing without returning
o Spending for personal use of funds entrusted to him/her
o Refusing to obey a student leader when the latter is discharging his/her duty or representing an
authority

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 o Irresponsibly playful like pulling chair away when one is about to sit; hiding another’s property;
blocking another’s path, etc
o Jumping over the fence
o Disrespectful to the national flag and singing of national anthem
o Spitting elsewhere
o Chewing of bubble gum inside the school during class hour and placing of bubble gum on chairs,
walls, etc.
o Putting make-up and face powder during class hour
o Urinating elsewhere or in inappropriate places
o Voyeurism
o Not giving letter to parents
o Bullying including physical, emotional, mental and cyber-bullying

Section 8. Penal Provisions.

The school head have mandated of authority, accountability and responsibility for creating an environment
conducive to teaching and learning within the school that is he/she be the only deemed person in authority.
The principal as the school head is therefore in power to determine and execute the necessary sanction
mandated by the school rules and regulations.

In the exercise of discretion given to the principal, all submitted reports and recommendations by the
various levels of officers (guidance counselor, school discipline officer, curriculum chairman and class
advisers) shall be considered supportive and guidelines for proper basis of judgment, fair and just decision.

In case of irresponsible and undesirable behavior, the following sanctions may be imposed:

o Oral warning and written reprimand. The violator shall be reminded on his/her misbehavior and
shall sign on the behavior contract (See Appendix D) together with his/her parent/guardian. The
case should be recorded in the confidential log book.
o Probationary. The violator shall be required to undergo therapy. There are two types of therapy:
the school therapy and home therapy. In school therapy, the student shall be given school tasks that
aim to develop his/her sense of responsibility, moral character and personal discipline under the
supervision of guidance counselor, school discipline officer and class adviser. On the other hand,
home therapy shall be given to student who needs parental guidance. He/she shall be given tasks
that aim to develop his/her intra personal skills under the supervision of guidance counselor, school
discipline officer, class adviser and parents/guardians.
o Suspension. The violator may be suspended for a fixed period. It will be recorded in the student’s
anecdotal record (See Appendix G).
o Expulsion. The violator shall be banned on enrolment. His/her right to avail free public education
shall be terminated.

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 Category First Offense Second Offense Third Offense Fourth Ofense

Minor Refer to the Refer to the Refer to the Refer to the Principal
Offense/Sanction class adviser School Discipline Guidance
Officer Counselor

Oral Reprimand Oral and Written Probationary Suspension

Reprimand

Grave Offense/ Refer to the Refer to the Refer to the Refer to the School
Sanction School Guidance Principal Grievances and
Discipline Counselor Complaints
Officer Committee

Oral and Written Probationary Suspension Expulsion

Reprimand

Note:

For first and other offenses, which are not very serious in nature, a suspension from school not to exceed
three (3) days may be authorized by the principal without the approval of the Division Superintendent.
However, parents must be informed by the teacher or the school principal of any misconduct on the part of
their children for which disciplinary action is necessary (Paragraph 1.1.2, Section 1, Chapter III, Part IV of
2000 DECS Service Manual).

Section 9. Miscellaneous Provisions.

The use of corporal punishment by teachers (slapping, jerking or pushing student about) imposing manual
work or degrading task as penalty; meting out cruel and unusual punishment of any nature; holding up a
student to unnecessary ridicule; the use of epithets and expressions tending to destroy the student self-
respect and the permanent confiscation of the personal property of students are forbidden. (Paragraph 1.1.2,
Section 1, Chapter III, Part IV of 2000 DECS Service Manual)

Under Section 10, RA 9211 known as “The Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003,” the sale or distribution of
tobacco products is prohibited within one hundred (100) meters from the point of the perimeter of a school,
public playground or any other facility frequented particularly by minors.

The organization of fraternities and sororities is strictly prohibited. Penalty for non-compliance is expulsion
of student. (Paragraph 4.3.3, Section 4, Part III of 2000 DECS Service Manual; DECS Order No. 20, s.
1991; DepEd Order No. 7, s. 2006).

The following policies regarding the prohibition on the use of cell phones as stated in DepEd Order No. 83,
s. 2003 shall be implemented.

o Ban on the use of cell phones by the students during class hour.

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 o Educate students on the responsible use of cell phones to prevent them from engaging in misguided
and immoral activities.
o Article IV Section 44 of RA 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act
of 2002” provides for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of Article II of this Act, all school
heads, supervisors and teachers shall be deemed persons in authority and as such are hereby vested
with the power to apprehend, arrest or cause the apprehension or arrest of any person who shall
violate any of the said provisions.
o The School Security shall be in-charged for the monitoring of violators to school rules and
regulations. They shall advise to report any untoward incidence and irregularities to the proper
authority. Protocol should be observed.
o Section 6, RA 6655, known as “Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988.” provides that “The
right of any student to avail of free public high school shall terminate if he fails for two (2)
consecutive school years in the majority of the academic subjects in which he/she is enrolled during
the course of the study unless such failure is due to some valid cause.” (Paragraph 1.1.2, Section 1,
Chapter I, Part IV of 2000 DECS Service Manual). Due to some valid cause means that the
circumstances for such failures may be attributed to reasons beyond the students’ control such as
illness, family instability or environmental disturbances (DECS Order No. 44, s. 1988).
o Under Paragraph b, Section 3 of RA 7877, known as “The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995”
declared that any person who directs or induces another to commit any act of sexual harassment or
who cooperates in the commission thereof by another without which it would not have been
committed, shall also be held liable.
o Enrollees are advised to attend orientation and shall be signed to an agreement during enrolment
(See Appendix E).

Section 10. Separability Clause.

The School Discipline Rules of Procedure shall be subjected for revisions depending on the need arise.
Future amendments shall be circularized to all concerned. Any previous rules and regulations in conflict
with this School Discipline Rules of Procedure are hereby rescinded. It shall take effect starting school year
2009-2010 and years thereafter.

Other Laws

o Republic Act No. 9344. Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.
o SEC. 13. The Educational System. – Educational institutions shall work together with families,
community organizations and agencies in the prevention of juvenile delinquency and in the
rehabilitation and reintegration of child in conflict with the law. Schools shall provide adequate,
necessary and individualized educational schemes for children manifesting difficult behavior
and children in conflict with the law. In cases where children in conflict with the law are taken
into custody or detained in rehabilitation centers, they should be provided the opportunity to
continue learning under an alternative learning system with basic literacy program or non- formal
education accreditation equivalency system.
o SEC. 60. Prohibition Against Labeling and Shaming. – In the conduct of the proceedings
beginning from the initial contact with the child, the competent authorities must refrain from
branding or labeling children as young criminals, juvenile delinquents, prostitutes or attaching to

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 them in any manner any other derogatory names. Likewise, no discriminatory remarks and practices
shall be allowed particularly with respect to the child’s class or ethnic origin
o DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012
o Section 3, paragraph P. “Positive and Non-Violent Discipline of Children” –is a way of
thinking and holistic, constructive and pro-active approach to teaching that helps children develop
appropriate thinking and behavior in the short and long term and foster self-discipline. It is based
on the fundamental principle that children are full human beings with basic human rights. Positive
discipline begins with setting the long-term goals or impacts that teachers want to have on their
students’ adult lives, and using everyday situations and challenges as opportunities to teach life-
long skills and values to students.
o Section 15 Prohibited Acts. The following acts, as defined in Section 3 of this Order, are hereby
prohibited and shall be penalized in administrative proceedings as Grave or Simple Misconduct
depending on the gravity of the act and its consequences, under existing laws, rules and regulations:
o Child Abuse
o Discrimination against children
o Child Exploitation
o Violence against children in schools
o Corporal Punishment
o Any analogous or similar acts