The president of Peru, Keiko Fujimori, has announced a new school doctrine whose purpose is "to recover order and restore the authority of teachers" in the educational centers of the country, after detecting "behaviors that affect the coexistence and safety of students."
In this context, the Government has approved its Guidelines for the Management of School Discipline in the face of "violence among students, assaults against members of the educational community." "Behaviors that endanger the integrity of children and adolescents require a firm, timely, and responsible response. That is why these guidelines have a character of proportional sanctions and warnings with criteria of graduality," Fujimori pointed out during the official presentation event.
The head of state detailed the scope of these provisions and insisted that education must be provided in a safe and serene environment. "For a few spoiled students, we are not going to disturb the tranquility of the great majority of students who come here to learn, to be formed. That is why we are going to reinstall definitive suspensions (expulsions). The most spoiled will not be in the classrooms," she emphasized.
As she explained, one of the axes of the reform will be to return to teachers the necessary tools to channel the behavior of students, among them the possibility of assessing behavior with a specific grade, as stated in a statement from the Presidency.
"Teachers are to be respected. As the principal told me, they could not call attention, they were cornered. With this new regulation, they will be able to correct, guide, help students again, and return to giving a conduct grade," the head of state lamented when referring to the role of teachers.
Fujimori also focused on the episodes that threaten the integrity of students and called for breaking the culture of silence, especially when the rights of victims are violated. "We are not going to allow or accept bullying, violence, sexual harassment. And I tell the kids: tell the teachers, notify the principal, because that individual will immediately be made available to the Public Ministry and the National Police," she specified.
Gradual application and reinforcement of discipline
The president has emphasized that the new rules provide for a staggered application of sanctions, with the aim of correcting inappropriate behaviors and allowing for rectification. "Here the goal is to guarantee a good education for everyone, but also with that perspective of correcting and giving an opportunity. The kids who misbehave will first receive a warning, they will be lightly sanctioned, with the aim that they can correct and that they can learn," she has reiterated.
In this line, she has highlighted the relevance of "cleanliness, hygiene, and good appearance" of the students. "Makeup, nail painting, excessively long and dyed hair will not be allowed. We will have to refer to the fact that the use of school skirts also has to have an appropriate measurement," she has indicated, detailing some of the personal presentation requirements.
Within the catalog of serious offenses, the improper use of mobile phones and other electronic devices, the recurrence of three or more minor infractions in the same course, unjustified and continued tardiness, minor physical assaults without injury or of a psychological type, as well as the possession or consumption of prohibited substances in the school environment are included.
Very serious offenses encompass bullying, sexual violence, acts of discrimination, extortion, possession or use of weapons, the use of incendiary or explosive devices, and the deliberate destruction of educational infrastructure, among other behaviors contemplated in the guidelines.