On October 12, the Ministry of Education published a draft supreme decree N.° 004-2018-MINEDU approving the new ‘Guidelines for discipline in basic education’, aimed at restoring authority and mutual respect in schools.
The measure comes in direct response to the Liceo Naval rape scandal, where six students were accused of sexual assault last September.
President Keiko Fujimori and Education Minister José Antonio Chang announced the policy at the Felipe Santiago Estenos School in Chaclacayo, Lima. The regulations, which will apply to both public and private schools, establish updated procedures for handling severe disciplinary offenses.
“It is unacceptable for a victim to remain in the same classroom as their aggressor after an assault that merits expulsion,” said Chang.
One of the key measures is the reinstatement of conduct grades in schools. “This will allow for the continuous monitoring of our children’s behavioral development,” he explained. Behavior will be evaluated on a 0-to-20 scale, with 11 set as the failing grade.
The ministry established three types of infractions: minor, serious, and very serious. Minor infractions can be handled directly by teachers in the classroom. Serious offenses include property damage, possession or use of prohibited substances, physical or psychological aggression, and incitement to dangerous behavior.
For serious misconduct, school principals can issue suspensions, conditional enrollments, or expulsions, the latter applying to students who face three suspensions within a single academic year.
Meanwhile, the decree classifies bullying, sexual violence, hate acts, extortion, discrimination, carrying weapons, and document forgery as very serious offenses, all of which carry mandatory expulsion. In these cases, families will have three business days to appeal the decision, and the school must resolve the request within five days.
Chang emphasized that all infractions must be officially registered to determine appropriate penalties. However, he noted that permanent expulsions could be reconsidered based on specific criteria, including “proportionality, the student’s age, behavioral history, the context of the offense, and any restorative actions taken”.
He also announced that expelled students will be transferred to a school assigned by the local educational authority (UGEL). “It will be a hybrid educational model, combining remote academic coursework with mandatory in-person therapy for both the student and their family”, the Minister explained. “The ultimate goal is social and educational reintegration”.
Student’s personal appearance
The document also sets clear guidelines for personal appearance, requiring students to maintain proper hygiene and wear the school uniform correctly. Makeup, painted nails, and visible tattoos will be prohibited.
Addressing the new dress code rules, the Minister made the government’s position clear: “If a student wants to dye their hair, they can, but they will need to find a private school that allows it, because public institutions will not permit it”. Private schools, however, will retain the flexibility to set their own policies, and must communicate them to parents in the school’s internal regulations.
During her speech at the school, President Keiko Fujimori defended the strict measures, stating that “order must be restored not only on the streets, but also in the classroom. We cannot allow a few disruptive students to destroy the peace of the majority who come here to learn”.
“Violence between students, attacks on school staff, and behavior that puts our teenagers at risk demand a firm, timely, and responsible response”, Fujimori added.
“Teachers deserve respect. We will not tolerate bullying, violence, or sexual harassment”. Moreover, the president pointed out that the government recently approved a nationwide ban on student cell phones and electronic devices during class hours, unless explicitly authorized by a teacher.
The draft decree will remain open for public comment for 15 calendar days, allowing public institutions, private entities, and citizens to submit suggestions and comments to improve it. Once finalized, schools will have 30 days to update their internal regulations to the new regulations.
Featured image: Naval captain gives a sexual health talk to primary and secondary students at Liceo Naval.
Image credit: Marina de Guerra del Perú