Marks for good behaviour

Updated on: Sunday, August 22, 2010

From next year, St James’ School will introduce ‘discipline’ as a subject that will involve deducting marks for every mischief.

“If a student beats up a schoolmate so badly that he needs to be hospitalized, it will classify as a major offence. We will investigate the incident and punish the child only if his guilt is proven,” says principal T H Ireland. For a repeat offence, 5% more marks will be deducted than the last time,” said Ireland.

The system involves rewards as well. “A child can get 5% extra marks for good deeds, like participating in social service projects, staying back in school to clean the campus or teaching poor kids in our evening school,” the principal said.

“We found that both children and guardians take marks or grades very seriously so deducting marks is the best way to discipline a child. We cannot allow a student to carry on with his tantrums just because the teachers’ hands are tied,” said Ireland. “Even some parents are helpless. They don’t know how to rectify their children and are dependent on the school. We cannot give up because complaints of corporal punishment are being reported from various schools, including St James’,” the principal explained.

A parent-teacher meeting has been called next month to convey the decision. “We will form a body of parents to convince the others. The new system, if accepted, will be introduced from the next session for students between Classes V and IX,” said the principal.

Marks for good behaviour

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