asked the Minister for Education if guidelines on discipline were circulated to schools following the abolition of corporal punishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Discipline in Schools.
90.
Following the abolition of corporal punishment in schools, a representative committee was set up "to consider the question of discipline in schools and to make recommendations". The report of the committee will shortly be published and I shall be inviting the views of interested parties, particularly the parents' council, before formulating my response to the report.
I wish to place on the record of the House my Department's Circular 9/82, which announced the abolition of corporal punishment and contained a revised version of Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools, which deals with school discipline.
Following is the circular:
Circular to Boards of Management and Principal Teachers of National Schools.
The Abolition of Corporal Punishment in National Schools.
The Minister for Education in pursuance of the Government commitment to the abolition of corporal punishment in schools, has, following consultations with representatives of teacher and managerial organisations, amended Rule 130 of the Rules for National Schools to read as follows:
Schools Discipline
130(1)Teachers should have a lively regard for the improvement and general welfare of their pupils, treat them with kindness combined with firmness and should aim at governing them through their affections and reason and not by harshness and severity. Ridicule, sarcasm or remarks likely to undermine a pupil's self-confidence should not be used in any circumstances.
(2)The use of corporal punishment is forbidden.
(3)Any teacher who contravenes sections (1) or (2) of this rule will be regarded as guilty of conduct unbefitting a teacher and will be subject to severe disciplinary action.
This amendment will have effect from 1 February, 1982. You are requested to bring this circular to the notice of all teachers in your school and of all future teachers appointed to the school.
L. Ó Laidhin,
Rúnaí
Eanáir, 1982