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Disciplinary Procedure
DISCIPLINARY SYSTEM CRAMS - Conflict Resolution Arbitration Mediation
Every teacher is responsible for discipline and has the full authority and responsibility
to correct the behaviour of learners whenever such correction is necessary. Any
corrective measure or disciplinary action will correspond with and be appropriate
to the offence. All learners will abide by the discipline system that has been developed
to assist and guide learner behaviour in the College.
A: Grading of Offences
Offences are graded according to the nature and degree of seriousness of the offences,
of which Grade 4 offences are the most serious. See Annexure B, Table 1 for a list
of the offences making up each of the Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4.
B: Disciplinary Procedures
The grade of an offence will determine the procedure to be followed.
1. Grade 1 offence a written warning followed by a final written warning, then a
disciplinary hearing.
2. Grade 2 offence a final written warning followed by a disciplinary hearing, then
a CRAMS hearing
3. Grade 3 offence a disciplinary hearing or a CRAMS hearing (depending on the severity
of the particular offence).
4. Grade 4 offence offence immediately reported to the South African Police Service
(SAPS) and a CRAMS hearing.
C: Disciplinary Interventions
1. The following list of interventions and corrective measures used by the College
are aimed at correcting behaviour before suspension and expulsion:
verbal warning/reprimand to express disapproval.
Written warning.
Final written warning.
Removal from classes to the exclusion room.
Written punishment.
Community service to improve the physical environment within and around the College
property.
Homework detention.
Supervised Collegework.
De-merit detention.
Referral for counselling.
Attendance of a relevant life skills programme.
Fines to compensate for damages, to cover the cost of repair or replacement of the
lost or damaged item, and/or the accumulated fine.
Temporary suspension of library card and/or other College-related privileges
Exclusion from College activities and functions, e.g. academic award ceremony.
Withdrawal of recognition, e.g. award.
Temporary suspension from class or College, pending disciplinary hearing.
Disciplinary hearing.
CRAMS hearing.
2. Failure to comply with interventions and corrective measures will lead to further
interventions and may lead to the offence being categorised at a higher grade. Expulsion
may be recommended for a Grade 3 and a Grade 4 offence. See Annexure B, Table 2
for a list of the possible disciplinary measures to be applied for Grade 1, 2, 3
and 4 offences respectively.
3. Conduct that may lead to suspension/exclusion includes, but is not limited to,
the following:
Conduct that violates the rights or safety of others.
Criminal behaviour of any kind.
Defacing or destroying College property.
Disrespectful or objectionable conduct and verbal abuse directed at teachers, other
College employees or fellow learners.
Outright defiance of lawful requests or instructions issued by persons in authority.
Indulging in harmful graffiti, racism or hate speech.
Sexual harassment or sexual assault.
Immoral behaviour or profanity.
Possessing, using or displaying evidence of use of any narcotics, unauthorised drugs,
alcohol or any other intoxicant.
Repeated infringements of the College rules or the Code of Conduct.
Possession of dangerous weapons (guns, knives and other objects which may threaten
the lives of learners/teachers).
4. Should a learner be found guilty by a court of law for breaking the law of the
Republic of South Africa, the College has the right, after a fair hearing through
the College Management, to recommend expulsion to the Provincial Department of Education.
5. A CRAMS hearing will be convened with a view to recommending expulsion. In such
instances the recommendation for expulsion will be submitted to the Provincial Head
of Education to approve the decision.
6. Where approval for expulsion is not granted, learners will attend counselling
or the relevant life skills programme before they may return to class. Such learners
will be accommodated in the exclusion room in the interim to continue with Collegework
until they have completed the series of counselling sessions or the stipulated life
skills programme.
D: Suspension of a Learner by the Principal or Deputy Principal as a Precautionary
Measure
The College Management authorises the Principal or Deputy Principals to institute
suspension, as a precautionary measure, with regard to a learner who is charged
with a serous misconduct offence as contemplated in section 8 of the SA Colleges
Act.
1. Before a learner is suspended, the learner and his/her parents must be given
an opportunity to indicate why the suspension should not be considered.
2. The disciplinary proceedings must commence within one (1) week after the suspension.
If the proceedings do not commence within one (1) week, approval for the continuation
of the suspension must be obtained from the Head of Department.
3. This suspension will be applicable until a finding of not guilty is made or,
in the case of a finding of guilty, until the appropriate sanction is announced.
E Disciplinary and CRAMS Hearings
1. The following official forms will be used for misconduct and disciplinary hearings:
1.1 Written warning (disciplinary warning form) (Annexure C)
1.2 Final written warning
(Annexure D)
1.3 Notice of disciplinary hearing (Annexure E)
1.4 Record of disciplinary
hearing (Annexure F)
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Athlone Premises
Kenilworth Premises
Bellville Premises
1.5 Review form (lodging of appeal) (Annexure G)
2. Written
notice of a disciplinary or CRAMS hearing will be given at least five (5) College
days before the hearing, which could imply temporary suspension from classes, excluding
formal scheduled tests and examinations which count towards the year mark.
3. When
a notice is issued to a learner the learner must acknowledge receipt of notice by
signing for it. This is not an admission of guilt.
4. If a learner does not appear
at a hearing, the hearing will be conducted in his/her absence.
5. A written verdict
of the hearing will be issued to the offender. The offender must acknowledge the
content by signing the document.
6. A learner has the right to request a review
of the disciplinary action taken against him/her if sufficient grounds exist. Disregard
of punishment of the Disciplinary Committee will lead to temporary suspension pending
a hearing.
7. The Disciplinary Hearing Commission will consist of the following
members:
7.1 a College Management representative;
7.2 the College Principal or Discipline
Officer delegated to oversee this function;
7.3 the Discipline HOD; and 7.4 the
relevant teacher.
8. The hearing will also be attended by the learner, and any other
learner s/he may need for his/her defence.
9. Disciplinary measures that a Disciplinary
Hearing Committee may impose include:
9.1 Demerits.
9.2 Suspension from College
for a minimum of two days up to a maximum of five (5) days, ratified by the College
Management, to be effective immediately. This will be put in writing and a copy
kept on record.
9.3 Recommendation with respect to counselling/attendance of a life
skills programme.
9.4 Progress monitoring process initiated for a minimum of two
(2) weeks, followed up with a progress report.
9.5 A written conduct and behaviour
warning issued. A signed copy of acknowledgement will be kept on record.
9.6 Payment
to cover the cost of repair or replacement of the damaged, lost or stolen item.
10. The CRAMS Hearing Commission will consist of the following members:
10.1 the
College Management Chairperson;
10.2 two (2) parent representatives from the College
Management;
10.3 the College Principal or Discipline Officer delegated to oversee
this function; and
10.4 the Discipline HOD. 11. The Principal/Discipline Officer
will keep on record copies of all documentation relating to the offence, the conducting
and findings of the hearing, and the disciplinary measures imposed.
12. The Principal/Discipline
Officer will furnish the relevant Grade Head and teacher with all the information
necessary for their records.
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