Responsibilities of Learners

In terms of Section 8(4) of the South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996), learners have a legal obligation (Links to an external site.) to comply with the code of conduct of the school attended by such a learner.

Learners have the rights and responsibilities in terms of the guidelines for the consideration of governing bodies in adopting a code of conduct for learners (DoE, 1998) as set out below:

School rules are designed to regulate the general organisation of the school, and the relationships between the principal, educators and learners.

• School rules are designed to regulate the general organisation of the school, and the relationships between the principal, educators and learners.

• Each learner should be provided with a copy of the school rules at the beginning of each school year, while younger learners at primary schools should be informed verbally of the school rules.

• Classroom rules are designed to give effect specifically to the relationship between educators and learners in the classroom, and may include classroom interactions and management.

• Classroom rules should be posted in the classroom. The consequences for breaking the rules should also be included.

• Learners must be involved in the formulation of school and classroom rules.

• Classroom rules should be derived from general values (Links to an external site.), such as respect for human dignity (Links to an external site.) (see paragraph 5.1). Learners must be expected to know and to adhere to school and classroom rules.

Learners must commit themselves to doing their schoolwork in class

• Learners must commit themselves to doing their schoolwork in class, completing assigned tasks and homework and catching up on work missed because of absence (Links to an external site.).
• The disruption of schools and classrooms must not be tolerated. Parents must be informed about any unacceptable behaviour of their children.

It is the privilege and obligation of every learner to protect and carefully use all the facilities and equipment .

As the school has been developed for the use of all learners attending the school, it is the privilege and obligation of every learner to protect and carefully use all the facilities and equipment (for example, tables, desks and textbooks) so that others that will come after them can also enjoy the privilege. The parent or legal guardian of anyone who intentionally misuses, damages or defaces any school property should replace or pay for the property so damaged. 

Parents have a legal obligation to send their children of compulsory school-going age to a school .

• In terms of Section 3(1) of the South African Schools Act, parents have a legal obligation to send their children of compulsory  (Links to an external site.)school-going age to a school and to ensure that such child or children attend school regularly during school hours.
• Should a learner be absent, his or her parent or legal guardian must notify the school to explain the absence.

• Module: Discipline

• What is Discipline?
• Evolving Focus
• Meaning of Discipline
• Human Rights and School Discipline
• Duties And Obligations of Educators
• National Curriculum Statement