Where are the rules?

A RULE usually refers to standards for activities.
There are a lot of human activities that require rules, like business rules pertain to the structure or behaviour internal to a business, or sport rules define how a sport is played.
The same is in schools where rules should be part of any school operations.
It is not a good sign when we see school children smoke, chew betel nut or drink alcohol. So where are the rules?
Or how are schools dealing with student punctuality, attendance and dress code?
It is time that the Education Department makes it compulsory for schools to draw up rules that will govern student conduct.
We believe that the Teachers’ Service Act and Education Act allow schools to make rules for students, so if a student breaks a rule, the rulebook should dictate the consequences.
The rules should be incorporated into a document that should be given to parents when a child is enrolled at school.
Both parents and child must be aware of the procedures involved in dealing with the infringements of rules.
The rules are probably there but parents are not aware because they were not informed or given a copy.
If there are, then head teachers and principals should make copies available to each parent at the next parents’ and citizens’ meeting.
Teachers must also spend some time going through the rules with the students, especially newcomers.
The boards of governors and boards of management must also know the rules so they can effectively administer discipline.
There must be rules in schools to govern the use of mobile phones.
Being able to contain little issues within the confines of the school ground could help stop it from spilling outside the gate and allow others to get involved.
Some school fights start because an incident that happened in school was not properly addressed.
If schools and law enforcement agencies were effective and functional, there would rarely be experiences as such because the students will fear retribution, that maybe tragic or costly. It is the negative effects of a corrupt and lawless state that needs resuscitation.
Corrective measures start at home but what we are experiencing doesn’t speak much about that.
Tougher penalties should be applied to schools. But before that, it is every parent’s responsibility to provide direction and discipline for their sons and daughters at home.
Many parents today tend to push this responsibility to the teachers which is not right because teachers are there to educate.
In today’s society, applying tough penalties on students in some schools has seen more complications come out of it. Students and parents are retaliating against teachers.
And corporal punishment will not work.
Tactics that were applied in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s will not work in the 21st century because society and attitudes have changed.
Amicable and long-term preventive measures are needed to fully eliminate the on-going battles between schools or within school.
Existing laws need to be re-visited and rules must be reviewed and modified to meet today’s needs.