A new policy on managing behaviour in schools was published yesterday by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo.

The 20-page document lays out in very broad terms a context for understanding student behaviour in schools and the causes of misbehaviour, as well as offering a survey of relevant legislation and legal instruments.

It is meant to complement two further documents on strategy and implementation, which include measures that can be taken against misbehaving students. The documents are currently available only on ilearn, a network for educators.

Student services manager Sandra Cortis said this would be the first time the boundaries of acceptable student behaviour had been defined on a national level.

She said the goal was to approach student behaviour positively and create a sense of personal responsibility and respect for both themselves and others.

Problems sometimes arise because children are unhappy with the educational experience we are offering, and we have to be conscious of that

The policy document states: “Through a democratic process students are to be involved in the formulation of a school philosophy outlining rights and responsibilities. It is not about forcing students to comply with teacher demands but allowing them to assume ownership and success in all aspects of their schooling.”

Mr Bartolo said every school had its own realities and challenges, and emphasised that the new policy would be implemented in close consultation with heads of schools, who had been given space to take their own initiative.

He added that student behaviour was often an expression of broader issues and frustrations beyond the school experience.

“Managing behaviour has to go beyond telling children to sit down and shut up,” he said. Problems sometimes arise because children are unhappy with the educational experience we are offering, and we have to be conscious of that.”