The increasing lack of discipline in South African schools and the impact thereof is well known. In most instances, existing punitive measures do not yield the required results. Yet, schools continue to scramble to find alternative punishments that will result in a disciplined environment conducive to teaching and learning. Albert Einstein rightly said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.”

Restorative School Discipline: The Law and Practice seeks to provide an alternative approach to discipline. However, to implement this approach, a complete mind-shift is required. This mind set requires an understanding that to discipline learners is to teach socially acceptable behaviour. The restorative approach entails moving away from an approach that merely focuses on the ill-disciplined learner to an approach that focuses on preventing disciplinary problems, changing the culture of the school and restoring the harm done to those affected by the misconduct. The restorative approach involves focusing on finding solutions to address the needs and interests of all the role-players in the school community, rather than finding suitable punishments. Thus, focusing on the best interests of every learner as well as those of educators. Restorative discipline is a value-driven approach that respects the human rights of every stakeholder and also protects, promotes and fulfils everyone’s human rights.

This book explains the restorative approach to discipline in detail. The role of every stakeholder in the implementation of this approach also receives attention. Furthermore, it highlights the social justice implications as well as the impact of discipline on the neurological functioning and development of the child.

Restorative School Discipline: The Law and Practice provides practical advice for SGB’s, educators, school social workers and other role-players, such as the Department of Basic Education, on how to implement the restorative approach to discipline. It also examines the Constitutional imperatives and the legal framework related to school discipline. This ground-breaking book will provide guidance for school administrators, practitioners and academics on this innovative school discipline practice.

Chapter 1: My journey towards restorative discipline

Chapter 2: Rethink discipline

Chapter 3: Restorative discipline

Chapter 4: The restorative discipline model

Chapter 5: Social justice and discipline in South African education

Chapter 6: Assumptions, values and norms

Chapter 7: Trauma-sensitive schools: understanding troubled learners through the neuroscience lens

Chapter 8: Resilience and the circle of courage

Chapter 9: The role of the school governing body in disciplinary measures

Chapter 10: The role of educators in school discipline

Chapter 11: The role of the school social worker in school discipline

Chapter 12: The role of parents in school discipline

Chapter 13: The role of the department of basic education and provincial education departments in school discipline

Chapter 14: Youth leaders in school discipline

Chapter 15: Measures to enhance co-operation between the school Governing body and departments of education

Chapter 16: Bullying and cyberbullying

Chapter 17: School discipline and crime

The book provides practical guidance for SGB’s, educators, school social workers, practitioners and academics and other stakeholders, such as the Department of Basic Education, on how to implement the restorative approach to discipline.