Ask any parent to identify a secondary school in the northern region or in Zone 1 where they think discipline is the best maintained, where they are sure their children will be safe, where they know their children will not only get quality education but will also develop their personality, high sense of values and altruistic qualities, the answer will invariably be the RTSS. This goodwill has been earned on the dint of hardwork and perseverance.

Below is a list of rules and regulations which apply at the RTSS.

RABINDRANATH TAGORE SECONDARY SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Discipline is essential for the smooth running of a school and to inculcate positive values and responsible behaviour. Students will be expected to abide by the following rules and regulations. The cooperation of everyone concerned – parents, students and staff – is indispensable. At the RTSS, we strongly adhere to the belief that the school is a sacred place and every effort has to be made so that its sanctity is never blemished. A student has the duty to behave, dress and communicate in such a way which is socially and morally accepted in a refined society. Students are generally influenced by what they see at the bus stop, in the media and elsewhere, it does mean that they should blindly copy lifestyles which are to their detriment. Our list of school discipline is meant to mould and shape the personality of our students, whom we fondly refer to as our ‘kids’, so that they grow up with poise and a sense of equity. Below is a list of rules and regulations which apply at the RTSS. These rules have to be scrupulously respected to avoid any disciplinary problem. Be informed that the RTSS has disciplinary committees which deal with any departure from the school rules and regulations. We believe that discipline is a positive concept which is meant for the welfare of our pupils as we believe that there should not be any problem to ascribe to them as they are meant to accompany the pupils on their march from childhood to adolescence as they will gather increased maturity.

1. Journal

All students need to have and maintain an updated journal. Students will have to show their journal to form teachers and subject teachers as and when required and requested by the latter. Parents have to sign their ward's journal in order to monitor their work done at school.

2. Arrivals

Students should be in attendance at school by 7.55 a.m. They should be in class for the Form Teacher’s period in the morning and for register after lunch break.

3. School Assemblies

Assemblies are held every time important information has to be communicated to pupils. All pupils must attend them and should not stay in class while morning assembly is in progress.

4. School Uniform

Only the school uniform as per the pattern provided should be worn at school. Cardigans of the same colour should be worn during winter. The school uniform confers an identity to the school students and wearing it should be a matter of pride.

5. Cleanliness, hygiene and tidiness

Students should always be neat and tidy. Students should keep the school compound, the playing fields and classrooms clean. Responsible students should automatically caution their friends who go against this golden rule.

6. Discipline in and outside the College

Students are expected to behave well at all times in public especially when they are wearing the School Uniform. They should not use foul language in and outside school premises. Students are expected to behave properly on the bus. They should speak softly and should address the conductor politely. Pupils should not lean out of the window or throw bits and ends from the bus, and getting down from the back door of the bus is a punishable offence. Minor discipline problems such as failure to do homework, not wearing proper uniform, littering, poor behaviour on school premises may be sanctioned in various ways, e.g: verbal reprimand, confiscation of non pedagogical items, note to parents in journal, etc. Serious offences such as leaving school without permission, running away from classes, smoking, bringing or consuming alcohol in school, forgery in Report Book / Journal, cheating in test / exams, stealing, bringing and distributing unfavourable reading materials at school, damaging school property, flirting, use of foul language or indecent signs, writing or drawing obscenities on walls or desks, unpleasant behaviour in school will be sanctioned by the Disciplinary Committee, which may result in arrests or rustication and in extreme cases even expulsion from school.

7. Outings –

Whenever an outing is organised by the school, a circular is sent to parents. The circular must be signed by the Responsible Party and returned to school at latest on the eve of the outing. By signing the consent form, the Responsible Party automatically assumes his/her responsibility if ever any untoward incident occurs.

8. Gambling –

Any form of game involving gambling is not allowed at school.

9. Canteen –

Students will be allowed in canteen only during break times.

10. Lunch –

Parents are strongly encouraged to send lunch prepared from home for their wards.

11. Early Departures –

No student will be allowed to leave school early, unless he or she is accompanied by the Responsible Party. In case an individual other than Responsible Party report to school to collect student, he or she will be required to produce and authorisation letter duly signed from the Responsible Party and identification card. Responsible Parties should refrain from asking permission for their wards to leave early for social and other functions such as weddings, birthdays, trips to the airport or religious ceremonies. This is likely to adversely affect the pupil’s studies. Request for early release made through the phone will not be entertained.

12. Lateness –

Pupils who reach school after 8.00 a.m will have to enter their names in the Lateness Book before going to class. Frequent lateness will have to be accounted for. Pupils who do not enter their names in the lateness book will be reckoned as absent for morning lessons.

13. Absences

Students who are absent from school for a day or two should bring a note of absence duly signed by their Responsible Parties. Students who are absent for more than three consecutive days should produce a Medical Certificate on the next day they resume school. Students who are absent for longer periods will have to be accompanied by their Responsible Parties and see the Head of School on the day they resume. Parents should not keep students away from school except for urgent matters or in cases of illness. Regular absences from school will be reported to the Ministry of Education as it is a routine administrative exercise as attendance is monitored at the national level. According to the Ministry of Education new regulations, students of Form V who reckoned too many absences may be debarred from taking the Cambridge end of year examination and those in HSC may not be eligible for the National Scholarship. Parents should notify the school in writing if a student is travelling abroad at any time of the year so that the necessary authorisation can be granted. If parents leave the country and entrust their wards to the responsibility of another adult, the school has to be informed, in writing, of such arrangements.

14. Breaks

Pupils should as far as possible not remain in class during breaks. Pupils found guilty of causing damage to furniture or any other school property will be asked to refund same.

15. Phone Calls

Pupils are not allowed to keep mobile phones during school hours. However, pupils who bring their mobile phones are requested to keep them in the registry as soon they reach school and to take them back in the afternoon. Pupils who have to make important calls to their parents can always call to the office to do same. Likewise, parents can phone the school if ever they have any important call to make.

16. Identity Card

The student bus pass will be used as the student Identity Card.

17. Valuables

Piercing (of lips, chin, eye brows, navel, tongue etc) is not allowed in school. Only discreet jewellery can be worn. Pupils should avoid wearing very expensive jewellery to school. Pupils are advised not to carry important sums of money to school. Students are strongly advised not to bring ‘cellular phones’ to school, or any other electronic gadgets to school and any loss of such items will be the sole responsibility of the incumbent, not the school.

18. General

Parents who wish to meet or discuss with the Head of School or his Deputy may take an appointment with them on any school day and during school hours. If they wish to meet a teacher, they must first obtain authorisation from the Head of School or Deputy. Phoning educators or head of school or the deputy at home or after school hours is strongly discouraged. Responsible Parties should attend the general assembly of PTA and other requested meetings, since important issues pertaining to the school and their wards are discussed.

19. Sports

(i) Sports are compulsory in school. No students will be ‘excused’ except on medical grounds in which case a medical certificate will have to be produced. Students should wear the proper physical education outfit.

(ii) House system

– For cross-country / sports day and any other sports activities students are divided into four houses. Each house bears a specific name and each student is assigned to one house.

20. Library and Internet facilities

Students should return books they have borrowed from the Library on time without tearing or writing on them. Request to use the internet should be made to the librarian and the topic of research should be clearly mentioned. Students should not post any material (texts, photos etc) digitally (facebook, twitter etc) which may sully the reputation of the school or can cause prejudice to any person. Confidential password giving access to the RTSS website or online learning should not be disclosed to any other person.

21. Hairstyle

Students are strongly discouraged from dying their hair.

Boys are not allowed unreasonably long hair. Coxcomb hairstyle or use of hair gel is also discouraged. Girls are requested to keep their hair tied.

22. Parents are strongly advised to support the school management to consolidate discipline and never to try to bend rules and regulations to suit the whims and caprices of their wards. Some spoilt brat cause a lot of harm to their families and the school reputation. Parents should realise that discipline learnt at school will help their wards in life to become responsible and law abiding citizens.

23. Dishonesty, distortion of facts and lies

At the RTSS we strive to inculcate values like honesty in our pupils. Cheating in examinations, class tests, telling lies, altering marks in report books or falsification of signatures in report books or journals or withholding pertinent information from parents or teachers, nicknaming, spreading rumours and backbiting are discouraged because they seriously undermine the personality of an individual. Some of these are regarded as serious and may entail disciplinary measures.

24. Language code

Students are encouraged to use English, French (or any Oriental Language) at school. They should be polite and courteous with one and all. Showing respect is expected to be an integral part of their character. Swear words or vulgarity will lead to disciplinary actions.

Note: These rules and regulations may be modified by the Rector as and when required in the superior interest of the RTSS.