Article VIII

School Policy and Code of Discipline

Section 1. Basis and Authority of the School to Maintain Discipline

(Source: D.O. No. 92, s 1992 page 22-23)

1.1 The Department of Education states that every school is required to maintain school discipline at a level
consistent with the accomplishment of good schoolwork and that a public school is entitled to drop a student who is
considered undesirable. The Department of Education also provides the principal and the teachers with a special
authority.

1.2 Every school shall maintain discipline inside the school campus as well as outside the school premises when
pupils or students are engaged in activities authorized by the school. School officials and teachers shall have the right
to impose appropriate and reasonable disciplinary measures in case of offenses or infractions of good discipline.
However, no cruel or physical harmful punishment shall be imposed or applied against any student.

8.2 A student should be the pride of the school, the home and the community where he lives. The school relies on
each individual student as the guardian of the rules and regulations of the school. Discipline measures are employed
to correct erring students and for them not to repeat their mistakes, to safeguard the name of the school and to help
in the progressive development of the whole studentry.

8.3 The basic rule: Love your school and be a responsible student your parents can be proud of.

Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of Students

2.1 The school recognizes that students have their own duties to perform to contribute to the betterment of their
education. The following norms of conduct are expected from students:

2.1.1 Students must be respectful of another’s opinions, status of any sort, ethnicity, and religion;
2.1.2 Must comply with the school’s regulations, as long as they are congruent to their best interests;
2.1.3 Must participate in and contribute to an adequate school environment;
2.1.4 Express themselves appropriately at all times;
2.1.5 Must participate in school activities;
2.1.6 Must respect moral and physical integrity of everyone at all times;
2.1.7 Must ensure school facilities are clean and preserved, as well as any school articles, other devices, furniture or
landscape, and to use them properly;

2.1.8 Must respect property rights of any goods or objects belonging to anyone;
2.1.9 Must know and follow the rules and procedures of school services;

2.2 Students must refrain from:

2.2.1 Discriminating, or leading a group of students to discriminate another, with regards to one’s physical
appearance, gender or sexual orientation, disability, economic status, religious beliefs or affiliation and status of any
sort;
2.2.2 Behaving physically in a manner that is inappropriate or sexually provocative;
2.2.3 Participating in behavior of other students that is illegal, unsafe and/or abusive;
2.2.4 Abusing and over-asserting their rights on a manner that would evade the school administration from
protecting them;
2.2.5 Marking or damaging school property and equipment, including books, in any way
2.2.6 Being aggressive or engaging in a fight.
2.2.7 Inviting visitors or guests inside the school without passing through the Security Guard on duty.

Section 3. Policy on Absences, Tardiness and Cutting Classes

3.1 The school gate is temporarily closed from 7:30-11:45 am and 1:30- 4:45 pm to ensure student’s safety inside the
campus. (time schedule depends on school)

3.2 Attendance shall be checked by the subject teachers.

3.3 A student who incurs absences of more than twenty percent (20%) of the prescribed number of class or
laboratory periods during the school year should be given a failing grade and given no credit for the course or
subject. (DECS Service Manual, 2000)

3.4 A student who has been absent is required to present to the Class Adviser a written explanation stating the valid
reason of absence signed by the parents immediately after the day the student was absent. Failure to do so will
result to truancy. Truancy is an unexcused absence from school without the knowledge and permission both of the
student’s parents/guardian and of the teacher.

3.5 Extended absence of at least five days caused by illness must be certified with a written statement from a doctor
(Medical Certificate).

3.6 Students who are absent for any reason will be required to make up work missed in each class. It is the student’s
responsibility to make all necessary arrangement for missed assignments, lessons and projects with the teacher
upon return to school.

3.7 Students are expected to report to class on time. A student is considered tardy if he comes to class 10 minutes
after the bell has rung.

3.8 The individual teacher will handle class tardiness. An accumulation of three such tardiness will equal one
absence.

3.9 A student cut classes if he/she willfully does not attend in one or more subjects but present in some subjects.

3.10 Habitual unexcused absence, tardiness and cutting classes shall be recorded in the Anecdotal Logbook and
warrants immediate classroom intervention of the Class Adviser. Subject Teachers must likewise report to the Class
Adviser any cases of tardiness and cutting classes incurred in their subject.

Section 4. Norm of Conduct during Class Hours

4.1 Regular and punctual attendance is absolutely necessary. Students are expected to be in school before or at
exactly 7:15 a.m. for the flag ceremony and 1:00 pm. The school gate is closed from 7:30-11:45 am and 1:30- 4:45
pm to ensure student’s safety inside the campus.

(Deped Order no. 50 s. 2015 for Flag Raising and Lowering)

4.2 Students should stand at attention during flag ceremony and announcements.

4.3 Loitering in corridors and lingering inside the comfort rooms and canteens should be avoided at all times.

4.4 Students should wait quietly for their teachers. If a teacher is late for 15 minutes, the class president or its proxy,
in case of the latter’s absence, should notify the concerned teacher or the principal.

4.5 Students should be careful not to leave their things like books, bags, etc. They should refrain from bringing
expensive gadgets and school supplies to prevent losses and accidents. Students are responsible for their personal
belongings. The school assumes no responsibility for any lost articles.

4.6 Inside the campus, students should respect signage (e.g. off limits, danger, warning, silence, no entry, no
loitering, this way, no littering, etc.) They are for safety and consideration for others. Students should keep their
classrooms clean, green and orderly to make it conducive for learning. They should abide by the set of rules and
follow their leaders in the spirit of teamwork and team building.
4.7 Students are required to take good care of the school properties like chairs and tables. They should report
damages done on a school property to school authorities as a sign of concern.

4.8 School Curfew: Students should not stay within the school campus after 5:00 pm on class days, except during
officially sanctioned school activities with sanctions from parents or guardian. On weekends (Saturdays & Sundays),
office permit and waivers of parents/guardians are required for school related activities. (The school gate is always
expected to be close during weekends and only authorized personnel and students are allowed to get in).

4.9 School activities sponsored by any student organization requiring collection of money or raising of funds from the
students like sale of tickets, solicitation, etc. affecting the school directly or indirectly should be duly approved by the
School Governing Council.

4.10 Parent/guardian’s informed consent/waiver is required for official seminars or activities requiring the
participation of the students. Students who are allowed by their parents or guardians to join these activities are
required to be in the prescribed vicinity, as stated by school authorities.

4.11 Announcements/posters/letters circularized which are to be posted on the bulletin boards must be approved by
the principal or any of his/her authorized representatives for posting.

4.12 Students should deliver immediately circulars or letter to parents as soon as they arrive home. Return slips, if
any, should be brought back to school the following day.

4.13 Students are prohibited from going to computer cafes’ and other recreational facilities and the likes during class
hours. (D.0. 83, s.2000)

4.14 No student may leave the campus during school hours unless there are valid reasons such as emergencies, etc.
In this case, the student must secure Gate Pass from the Adviser/Subject Teacher. The student must sign in and out
of the guard’s logbook. Failure to follow the above procedures regarding signing in and signing out may result in
disciplinary actions.

4.15 No group actions like boycotting of classes or demonstrations against any issue which leads to stoppage of
classes shall be allowed. Student grievances shall be in a written form and will be entertained in a proper avenue and
in a diplomatic process.

Section 5. Prescribed School Uniform & School ID

5.1 Wearing of complete and prescribed uniform, although voluntary, is strongly encouraged for the purpose of
identification and safety of the students. Students shall wear complete uniform on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Fridays except during special occasions such as sports events. (depends on school)

5.2 The prescribed uniform for Junior High School is white blouse and navy blue pleated skirt, black closed shoes and
white socks (girls) and white polo and black or blue pants, black shoes and white socks (boys) (depends on school)

5.3 The prescribed uniform for Senior High Students is illustrated below.

5.4 The school ID card is provided by the school to the new students (Grade 7 and 11) at no cost to them. The
students then are expected to wear their I.D. before entering and while inside the campus, at all times.

5.5 The school ID should be presented to the Registrar and validated every year upon enrolment. However, in case of
lost ID card the student will shoulder the cost of the replacement.

5.6 For transfer to another school or graduating students, the school ID must be surrendered to school.

Section 6. Dress Code and Grooming

6.1 Female students are not allowed to wear shorts, ripped jeans, tight pedals, mini-skirts, sleeveless and see-
through blouses, backless and “spaghetti” tops, multiple earrings, and heavy makeup.

6.2 Male students are not allowed to wear ripped jeans, shorts, sando, and T-shirts with offensive printed words.
They are also discouraged to wear earrings and eyeliners.

6.3 Athletic uniforms shall only be allowed during sports activities or PE subject.

6.4 The acceptable haircut for boys shall be at least one (1) inch above the ear and three (3) inches above the collar
line (DECS Manual 2000). Fancy haircuts, highlighted or dyed hair, tattoos, long/colored nails are discouraged for
both male and female students.

Section 7. Regulation on the Use of Electronic Gadgets in School

(DO 83 s. 2003, 26 s. 2000 and 70, s. 1999)

7.1 DepEd strictly imposes a ban on the use of cell phones by students during class hours. Students are directed to
turn off their cell phones during class hours and switch them back on after class. Wearing headset/earphones or
playing loud music inside the classroom is also prohibited unless allowed by the teacher for academic purposes. This
cell phone ban is ordered so students will remain focused in their lessons and learning distractions are minimized.
Students repeatedly caught violating this provision shall be subjected to disciplinary actions.

7.2 No student may charge his/her gadgets on the outlet on their classroom or anywhere within campus unless
permitted by their class advisers due to some requirement that they need to accomplish like project, term papers,
research projects etc.

7.3. On cases where a class may be distracted because of the persistent use of gadgets by the certain student in spite
or having been warned by the teacher, the said gadget must be turned over to

the concerned teachers who would eventually return the said gadget to the student/owner at the end of the same
class or period.

Section 8. Guidelines on Bringing of Vehicle/Motorcycle to School

8.1 Students who own these aforementioned vehicles shall log the plate numbers of all vehicles entering the campus
as part of the school's security measures by the security personnel.

(Depends on school because others have no parking space inside the school)

Section 9. Cheating, Stealing, Forging of Signature, Falsification of School Documents and other Forms of Grave
Dishonesty

9.1 The school adheres to "Honesty is the Best Policy". Therefore, cheating in examinations and quizzes is not
tolerated. This includes copying of answers or allowing others to copy one’s answer/opening of notes/unauthorized
use of codes and signals during tests, possession of “kodigo” and changing answers and scores while checking.

9.2 A student who has been suspended for serious disciplinary infractions, including cheating and stealing, shall be
disqualified for honors for the curriculum grade during which the suspension is imposed (DO 6, s. 2005).

9.3 Forging of signature of the school personnel and other documents are not allowed and subject for serious
disciplinary action.

Section 10. Gambling in School Premises

10.1 All forms of gambling which involves betting of money such as in spider fights, basketball games, "taksi" inside
the school campus are not allowed. Any personnel who personally witnessed the incident shall confiscate the money
and report to the Class Advisers. The confiscated must money must be forwarded to Supreme Student Government
(SSG) as fund.

Section 11. Vandalism and Deliberate Destruction of School Property

11.1 At all times, students should not write anything on the board without the permission of the teacher. The
teacher's desk is exclusively for teacher's use only. Any deliberate damage or loss of school properties such as the
chairs, jalousies, electric bulb, doors, athletic equipment, etc. is the responsibility of the students and shall be fixed
and replaced by them.

Section 12. Immoral Conduct and Indecency

12.1 Public display of affections inside the campus is not tolerated. Students caught involved in sexual misconduct
and immoral behavior will be dealt with immediately.

(Define what is immoral behavioral)

Section 13. Risky Social Media Behavior

13.1 Students must be responsible in the use of social media and the internet. Online risky behaviors such as
disrespecting fellow students and/or school personnel using media/ ICT tools (internet, cellphones, etc.) to injure
one’s character or reputation (e.g. publicly posting slanderous comments or images/pictures with lewd or obscene
graphics or funny illustrations will be dealt with accordingly.

13.2 any grievances should be addressed to the proper authority

Section 14. Fist Fights, Riots and Other Destructive Behavior

14.1 Students who engage in fistfight or injure another student shall be brought to the prefect of discipline for
mediation to patch up misunderstanding. School personnel who personally witnessed the squabble should
immediately pacify the situation or call the Security Guard. The class adviser will send invitation letter to the Parent/s
or guardian/s of conflicting students. The parents should be informed to the sensitivity of the case.

14.2 In case of grave injury, the parents of the offending students will be liable for the medical expenses. Case is
advised to be forwarded to CPP.

Section 15. Fraternities, Sororities and Gangs

(D.O. 6, s. 1954; D.O. 20, s. 1991; RA 8049-Anti Hazing Act)

15. DepEd prohibits the operation of fraternities and sororities in public secondary schools. Conduct of hazing and
other initiation rites may result to expulsion.

Section 16. Smoking, Alcohol and Drug Use

16.1 The use of tobacco substances is not permitted to students, teachers, staff, parents and visitors within vicinity
of the school campus.

16.2 Students who are intoxicated are not allowed to enter the school campus to prevent aggressions due to
drunkenness. Any student who is caught intoxicated will be dealt with accordingly.

16.3 Possession and use of prohibited drugs is a criminal offense. Any student caught in possession of illegal drugs
will be referred to the Municipal Police Station.
16.4 Once the student is already in class intoxicated, student is advised to report to the guidance office to rest and
parents will be called to fetch the student.

Section 17. Possession of Deadly Weapons

17.1 Students are not allowed to bring deadly weapons such as knives, icepicks, other sharp bladed instruments,
guns, matches/lighters, firecrackers and other explosives.

17.2 Reported and suspected student who bring possession of deadly weapons is subject for inspection/ frisking)

Section 18. Threats and Assault on School Personnel

18.2 Students who, without provocation, would physically or verbally disrespect or assault a teacher or any of the
school authorities or bringing of “barkadas”/gangs/outsiders for the purpose of retaliating against school personnel
is an offense subject to disciplinary action.

Section 19. Norm of Conduct after Class Hours

19.1 The student is bringing the name of the school even after class hours. It is therefore right that the student
should behave consistently in a manner which upholds the moral integrity of the school.

19.2 Students should bear in mind that in all places, they are responsible for their conduct, especially when in school
uniform; thus their conduct should be dignified and proper. Students who are in their uniform should not go to disco
pubs, beer houses, videoke establishment, billiard halls, internet café, and the like. The name of the school should
not be used for an activity or function unless approved by the principal.

19.3 Students who are requested to stay in school or outside the school beyond class hours and during weekends
and holidays for academic and valid reasons should ask written permission of the latter’s parents or guardians and
approve by the school head. They should likewise be supervised by the concerned teacher to avoid any untoward
incidents.

Section 20. Disciplinary Procedure for Minor Offenses

20.1 The following are considered minor offenses:

•Deliberate disturbance and/or improper behavior within school premises;
•Littering and loitering;
•Disregard of signs and markers;
•Use of vulgar languages/unacceptable words (written or oral);
•Improper use of classroom/school facility & supplies;
•Unnecessary absences and/or cutting classes;
•Habitual tardiness (5x and above);
•Possession/use of cigarette (smoking inside school premises);
•Possession/reading or passing of pornographic materials;
•Possession of gambling paraphernalia in any form within the school premises or its immediate vicinity;
•Using cell phones, Ipod, mp3, game cards, video games, computer games during class hours or charging of cell
phones inside the classroom/ within the campus;
•Cheating (copying of answers or allowing others to copy one’s answer/opening of notes/unauthorized use of codes
and signals during tests, possession of “kodigo” during quizzes and other examinations) and dishonesty (changing
answers and scores while checking);
•Writing and/or drawing obscenities;
•Other similar offenses (Division Memo 177,s. 2016)

20.2 The disciplinary procedure for committing minor offenses is explained below:
20.2.1First Offense: After hearing the side of the student, the Class Adviser shall give an oral reprimand or warning to
the offending student. He/she will document the misconduct in his/her Anecdotal Record logbook, indicating the
date, time and the detailed description of the incident, the agreement to stop the misbehavior. If the witnessing
personnel is subject teacher or a non-teaching staff, the incident shall be made known to the Class Adviser/s of the
offending student/s. This accounts for the classroom-based intervention.

20.2.2Second Offense: If succeeding misbehavior occurs even after the reprimand, the Class Adviser shall
communicate with the parents or guardians about the case during the quarterly Recognition Program or parents
meetings and come up with a solution to the student’s misbehavior. If parents or guardians don’t respond to the
invitation, the Class Adviser shall conduct Home Visitation as another form of intervention in strengthening school-
family connection. The student shall then write a written apology in the presence of the parent or guardian.

20.2.3Third Offense: If all initial interventions are already exhausted and the student commits the same misconduct,
the teacher shall refer the case to the Prefect of Discipline by filling up the Referral for Discipline Intervention Form.
The parent/guardian shall be summoned by the Prefect of Discipline through the Class Adviser for the treatment of
sanction. The students and parents/guardian shall come up with a mutual contract or written apology duly stated in
the Student-School Agreement which the offending student shall accomplish and will render special tasks as agreed
upon by the student, parents and Prefect of Discipline commensurate to the committed offense. The Class Adviser
will bring the student to the Guidance Office for counseling intervention.

20.2.4. Repeated offenses will be elevated to major offense.

Section 21. Disciplinary Procedure for Major Offenses

21.1 Committing a major offense shall not be used to curtail the student's basic rights and due process shall be
followed. The following cases are considered as major offenses:

•Bullying acts;
•Possession/use of deadly weapon or harmful objects (bladed objects of any kind, guns and/or ammunitions of any
kind, explosives of any kind, biological or chemical weapons of any kind, etc.);
•Instigating, leading or participating in concerted activities leading to stoppage of classes;
•Truancy (Staying away/not entering the campus or classes for the purpose of
gallivanting, playing, etc.);
•Fighting/inciting fights or acts of violence resulting to injury on oneself or other students;
•Assaulting teacher or any other school authority or his agents or students;
•Possession/use of alcoholic beverages/drunkenness/disorderly behavior caused by liquor or drugs;
•Bringing of “barkadas”/gangs/outsiders for the purpose of harassing any student or school personnel;
•Organizing/recruiting/hazing of any form of unauthorized groups whether in or out of school premises;
•Trespassing in off-limits/restricted areas/other classrooms;
•Forging/defacing/tampering school records and documents (ID cards, report card,
letters, quizzes, etc.);
•Unauthorized use of school name and seal for public function;
•Sexual harassment/acts of lasciviousness;
•Vandalism (destroying or writing on school property like chairs, table, windows, books, laboratory equipment and
others/deliberate destruction of other people’s property);  Extortion or asking money from others under threat;

•Embezzlement of student funds;

•Theft/stealing
•Collection/soliciting money for any activity or outside project not duly sanctioned by school authorities;
•Possession/use/pushing of prohibited drugs;
•Discrediting/ disrespecting fellow students/school personnel using media/ ICT tools (internet, cellphones, etc.) to
injure one’s character or reputation (e.g. publicly posting slanderous comments or images/pictures with lewd or
obscene graphics or funny illustrations, cyber bullying, etc.);
•Other similar offenses.(Division Memo 177, S. 2016)

21.2 The disciplinary procedure for committing major offenses is explained below:
21.2.1The school personnel present during the incident shall immediately intervene with the situation and conduct
an on-the-spot intervention. In cases of violence or there is imminent and present danger, the witnessing school
personnel shall call the Security Guard or the Police Personnel depending on the gravity of the situation. If the
witnessing personnel is a subject teacher or a non-teaching staff, the incident shall be made known to the Class
Adviser of the offending student/s. Class Advisers must coordinate with each other if the incident involves students
from different sections or year levels. The Class Adviser/s shall document this misconduct in the Anecdotal Record
logbook, indicating the date and time and the detailed description of the incident and the agreement to stop the
misbehavior as a result of the interview. This accounts for the classroom based intervention.

21.2.2Consequently, the Class Adviser shall communicate with the student/s’ parents or guardians about the
incident and shall arrange a case conference through writing regarding their child’s misconduct together with the
Prefect of Discipline and the Child Protection Committee. If parents or guardians do not respond to the invitation,
the Class Adviser shall conduct Home Visitation to ensure that they are present during the conference.

21.2.3The Class Adviser shall accomplish the Referral Form for Discipline Intervention together with the incident
report reflected in the Anecdotal Record. The Prefect of Discipline with the Child Protection Committee shall assess
the situation and determine, sometimes with input from the offending student, what will help fix the problem for
the purpose of amending the misconduct. Non-punitive form of discipline is encouraged to help the offending
student correct his/her mistakes. Likewise, logical consequences of his/her action shall also serve as a form of
discipline (e.g. a student who destroys a school property shall be directed to replace or repair the damage, a student
who is caught smoking or intoxicated will be referred to the School Nurse to undergo a lecture on the ill effects of
smoking and alcohol). The disciplinary sanctions shall be determined by the Child Protection Committee through the
Prefect of Discipline. The penalty of in-school

suspension for not more than one (1) week maybe imposed by the School Head through the Prefect of Discipline,
depending on the gravity of the offense as determined by the CPC. The offending student shall visit the Guidance
Counselor to assess the outcome of the intervention. The Guidance Counselor shall then prepare a counseling note
for future reference.

21.2.4In case of repeated offender, the school has the prerogative to not issue a Good Moral Certification to the
student.

21.2.5Other acts of violence or abuse committed by a student to another student in school which is not remedied
using mediation and non-punitive intervention shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act
9344 and DepEd Order No. 18, series of 2015 or the Guidelines and Procedures on the Management of Children at-
risk (CAR) and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).