Aligning school discipline with the best interests of the child: some deficits in the legislative framework
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Date
2017
Authors
Reyneke, J. M.
Pretorius, J. L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Education, University of the Free State
Abstract
The best-interest-of-the-child concept should guide the legislative framework with regard to the approach followed as well as the disciplinary processes used in schools. Currently schools revert mostly to a retributive and adversarial approach to discipline that is not compatible with the best-interests-of-the-child standard. In this article, the provisions of section 8 of the Schools Act are scrutinised and it is concluded that these provisions are supporting an adversarial and punitive approach to school discipline. This is evident from the lack of prescriptions ensuring that sanctions serve the best interest of children, the insufficient provision for support measures and structures for counselling, the undue focus on the best interests of the transgressor and the lack of guidance concerning the appointment of an intermediary. The introduction of restorative discipline as an alternative approach to discipline is recommended. The latter approach is recommended, because it is submitted that amendments to the existing legislative provisions would not address the key objection to the legislative framework namely its retributive and adversarial character.
Description
Keywords
Adversarial, Retributive and punitive discipline, Best interests of the child, Restorative discipline, School discipline, Support measures and structures for counselling
Citation
Reyneke, J. M., & Pretorius, J. L. 2017. Aligning school discipline with the best interests of the child: some deficits in the legislative framework. Perspectives in Education, 35(1), 112-128.