School rules: what are they, characteristics, and examples?

We summarize the characteristics of school rules and their functions in schools.

In any social institution it is necessary to respect a set of rules, which specify which behaviors are acceptable and which are reprehensible. By letting the public know how they should behave, a good coexistence is guaranteed.

School rules are a type of regulation specifically focused on educational contexts and, above all, aimed at teachers. and, above all, aimed at teachers, students and other employees of schools and institutes, although they also exist in other types of centers.

This type of regulations are essential in any educational institution, regardless of what age group or type of student it is aimed at, and below we will discover why.

What is a school policy?

A school regulation is a set of norms, rules, instructions and prohibitions that regulate the life within an educational institution.. These rules specify the rights and obligations that must be respected and complied with within the institution and the areas that are part of it.

They are not only focused on the students, but are also addressed to teachers and other workers of the center, such as cleaning professionals and cooks, in addition to establishing the correct relationship between the people who come to the center. Like all regulations, the main objective of this type of rules is to regulate the coexistence of people, ensuring peace through a code of conduct adapted to the environment.

School rules, which could be called academic or educational, are not only found in schools and institutes, are not only found in schools and institutes. They also exist in universities, vocational training centers, language schools... However, they are especially important in schools and high schools. The reason for this is easy to understand. Children and adolescents are still in the process of socialization, assimilating the social norms which, if they respect them, will allow them to develop as socially adapted individuals.

Although the work of parents and contact with other children and adolescents helps young people to acquire appropriate patterns of social behavior, it can always happen that they come from an unstructured environment. In this case, the child or adolescent does not have a role model at home to teach him or her how to behave correctly.

Fortunately, the school rules can help them to know and understand what is an appropriate pattern of behavior in their social life.The school's rules and regulations make up for the deficiencies in your home. Although it may seem that school rules are nothing more than simple regulations, considering how much young people have to learn in social aspects, knowing the school rules of your school is like acquiring any other educational knowledge, only that this is more extrapolated to real life than knowing the table of elements or doing trigonometry.

As the name implies, school rules have rules that are valid only within your facility, i.e., classrooms, hallways, common areas and other joint locations. This is not to say that these rules are radically different from the rules, prohibitions and instructions that are expected to be followed in public life or family life. In fact, in many aspects they coincide, and learning to behave at school is useful for learning to behave in the street.

However, in its entirety, the school rules and regulations is designed solely to ensure school coexistence.. However, this should not be understood as meaning that the school rules give the school laws independent of those of the state. Obviously, no school regulation is above or overrides the laws imposed by other hierarchies above it, such as the municipality, the region and, of course, the sovereign state.

Characteristics of a school regulation

In general, school regulations have the following characteristics.

1. Normative codes

They are written, complete and explicit regulatory codes.. These codes specify what are the accepted behaviors within the educational community, what rules community members or visitors must abide by at any given time.

2. Specific to the center

Their area of influence is specific to the center, i.e., they are designed to be followed, they are intended to be followed only in the school or institute in which they have been developed.. They must also be followed in any situation that, although outside the center, is managed by it, such as an excursion or a school camp.

3. Articulated

They are articulated to the extent that they are subdivided into different articles or sections, like any other formal document.. That is, they are not just a piece of paper on which four rules have been put without thinking, but we have tried to think of all the assumptions and situations that may occur in the center, so that it is clear which behaviors are desirable and which are not.

Differences between educational centers

Although each school can establish its own school rules, as a general rule, public schools are subject to the same rules and regulations. public schools are subject to the same regulationsimposed by the Ministry of Education or the regional educational government. Private schools, on the other hand, are freer in this respect, although not without completely ignoring the requirements of the Ministry of Education.

Another clearer difference between public and private schools in this respect is how, in most cases, they are subject to the same regulations imposed by the Ministry of Education or the regional educational government, private individuals specify what clothing or appearance should be worn at the center.. For example, the school uniform must be worn, piercings or tattoos are forbidden, certain haircuts are forbidden...

Example of school rules

The following is an example of what a school regulation would look like, based on what most of them agree on.

Rights

To be listened to and guided according to the set of educational or personal needs they may have.

To receive recognition for their academic dedication and compliance with the existing discipline, their perseverance and good behavior.

To participate in extracurricular activities organized by the center.

To be treated with respectand treated equally and fairly.

To know in a timely manner both the timetable and the school calendar, exams, the rules of the institute or the services to which he/she can have access.

The right to explain themselves if they do not attend class.

Students have the right to take food in the area designated for this purpose, such as the patio and cafeteria.

Students may use all facilities, workshops, restrooms and other common areas as long as their use is not contraindicated (construction, fire, etc.).

All students have the right to access the library, study in it during the established hours and borrow books indicating which ones have been taken and when they should be returned.

Students may have opinions and points of view that differ from those of the teacher, without affecting their grade, provided that they have been expressed in a clear and concise manner. and as long as they are expressed respectfully and politely.

Obligations

To make proper and correct use of the facilities, without destroying them.

To have good conduct inside and outside the school.

Remain in the center within the established timetable.

Treat classmates, teachers and other school employees with respect.

Obey the teacher in everything he/she indicates, as long as it does not violate the student's rights.

To justify their non-attendance to class in an appropriate manner..

To actively participate in the activities organized by the school.

Not to enter the classrooms, gymnasium or cafeteria without the teacher's permission or outside the established schedule.

All books borrowed All books borrowed from the library must be returned on time and in proper condition. and in proper condition.

It is forbidden to bring sharp objects to school, such as knives or knives. Firearms and crossbows are not allowed in the library. If they are brought in without being used, the offending student will be expelled. In case of use, the police will be called.

The integrity of the facilities must be respected.The students should not break tables, desks, glass, benches, blackboards or any other element of the institution.

Bibliographical references:

• Cervantes, Azucena Ochoa, Diez-Martínez, Evelyn. (2013). El reglamento escolar como eje de análisis de la convivencia en la escuela. Ensaio: Avaliação e Políticas Públicas em Educação, 21(81), 667-684. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-40362013000400003.