Education Ministry issues tough new rules to curb misbehaviour in public school classrooms and online

TDT | Manama

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Bullying in public schools, whether in class or online, can now lead to suspension under a new code issued by the Ministry of Education. Schools must also make up for any lessons missed during the suspension period.

The three-day suspension limit applies to serious breaches of conduct, under rules introduced by Education Minister, His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma.

The changes apply to all year groups in public schools. Private schools are not covered.

Unlike the previous version from 2017, which also applied to private education, the new code focuses solely on public schools.

That earlier decision replaced disciplinary rules for intermediate and secondary levels, as well as primary stage regulations from 2010.

The updated rulebook spells out how schools must deal with misbehaviour.

Offences are grouped into four tiers.

The most severe include acts such as sexual harassment, bringing in drugs or weapons, impersonating another pupil, forging school documents, or stirring unrest on campus.

Bullying, whether verbal, symbolic or physical, is listed among the serious breaches.

The rules cover incidents in classrooms, over video calls, or during official trips, whether in person or online.

Misconduct

Other misconduct includes recording classmates without consent, damaging school property, sharing login credentials, cheating, and having others complete assignments. These fall into the third tier.

The rules make clear that a suspension does not exempt schools from their teaching duties. Any missed time must be made up through lessons, assigned work or activities.

Disciplinary steps must take into account the pupil’s age, maturity, personal circumstances and behaviour history. Additional care is expected in cases involving pupils with learning needs or those facing hardship at home.

Minor breaches, such as being late, skipping class, failing to wear the proper uniform, or appearing in an unpresentable manner, fall into the first tier.

Teachers may begin with a warning, then write to parents, assign corrective tasks, restrict access to activities or, where applicable, shift the pupil to home learning.

Verbal abuse

Second-tier offences include verbal abuse, refusing to follow online learning rules, leaving school without permission, smoking, spreading rumours or bringing in banned devices or medication. These are met with stricter responses.

Each school must set up a disciplinary committee at the start of the year, chaired by the headteacher and comprising four staff members, one of whom must be a social worker.

This group conducts investigations, proposes responses and submits its findings to the local education directorate. The ministry may assign a representative to attend or take part in proceedings.