• Legal consequences await those who violate directives

The Education Ministry has issued a new circular outlining measures to ensure discipline within schools. The circular has been directed to Provincial Secretaries of Education, Provincial and Zonal Education Directors, Deputy and Assistant Directors in charge of divisions, heads of Pirivena institutions, and school principals. 

The new guidelines are to be implemented in addition to the instructions set out in the circular issued on 29 April 2016, concerning school discipline. The circular also references a section of a Supreme Court (SC) ruling. It stresses that no child should be subjected to physical or psychological harm under any circumstances, whether as punishment or otherwise. It further underscores that corporal punishment, in any form or at any level, is strictly prohibited, and that those who violate this directive will face legal consequences. 

The Ministry has emphasised that special attention must be paid to the principles outlined in the SC ruling when addressing matters related to student discipline.