Michael P. Kitt
Question:370 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Education the alternatives, if any, to corporal punishment approved by her Department.
Written Answers. - School Discipline.
In 1990-91, my Department issued "Guidelines Towards a Positive Policy for School Behaviour and Discipline", together with "A Suggested Code of Behaviour and Discipline" to all schools. Strategies which may be used to show disapproval of unacceptable behaviour are outlined in the latter document. They include reprimanding a pupil, temporary separation from friends, loss of privileges, detention during a break or after school hours, prescribing additional work, referral to the Principal, communication with parents and suspension.
Circumstances will vary from school to school and it is only those intimately involved with a particular school who can draw up a code of discipline appropriate for that school. In drawing up the code, school authorities should have regard to the guidelines issued by my Department.