New school code in September

UPDATE:

A NEW national school code of conduct takes effect from September. Education Minister Anthony Garcia made this statement yesterday in the House of Representatives.

Garcia said the new code incorporates principles that articulate the desirable and positive behaviours that attitudes required for individuals comprising the school community and, “assists in the determination of right and wrong.”

The new code focuses on areas such as respect, responsibility, rights, integrity, courtesy, productivity and performance. Garcia said it has developed standards for addressing incidents of bullying, cyberbullying and use of cellular phones, conduct of exams, social media, data security and privacy. The new code also updated standards related to issues such as good behaviour, school transport, fighting/assault/threats, arson, substance abuse, use of dangerous objects/firearms.

Garcia said the committee which developed the code “reviewed and updated all legislation, regularions and circular memoranda governing the standards of behaviour.” Earlier in the sitting, Garcia said his ministry does not pay the salaries of private secondary school teachers.

Identifying Bishop’s Centenary College as a private secondary school, Garcia said the ministry gives a stipend to these schools. Term one and term two teachers have been paid while the payments for term three teachers are being processed, he explained.

Garcia said negotiations between the ministry and the Association of Private Secondary Schools for a new financial arrangement for accommodation of students are ongoing. The association is asking for an increase in the stipend paid from $1,200 to $5,700 per term per child.

ORIGINAL STORY:

EDUCATION Minister Anthony Garcia told the House of Representatives today that a new national school code of conduct will take effect from the start of the new academic year in September. The code will deal with several issues such as bullying, cyberbullying and the use of cellular phones, fighting and good behaviour.

Garcia also said the ministry does not pay the salaries of private secondary schools such as Bishop's Centenary College. Payments for two categories of teachers have been made and payment for a third category is being processed.