This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Discipline Task Group reconvenes
24/03/2003
The Discipline Task Group (DTG) was reconvened today to
reflect upon progress in promoting positive behaviour in
schools and to consider what further action may be needed
to tackle indiscipline.
Speaking ahead of the meeting with the group which
published the joint Action Plan
Better Behaviour - Better Learning in December 2001, Education Minister Cathy
Jamieson said there would be no let up in efforts to
improve the school environment for pupils and teachers
alike.
Ms Jamieson said:
"Every child has a right to learn in a safe environment
and every teacher has a right to teach free from
disruption. A safe supportive environment is fundamental to
delivering successful learning and raising attainment -
that is why we are committed to tackling indiscipline by
providing schools with a range of resources in this
difficult area.
"Within that commitment we are taking action through
funding and implementing the recommendations of the report
from the Discipline Task Group. Action that includes
increasing the number of pupil support bases, and providing
resources for home-school link workers and auxiliary staff.
Action that is making a positive difference.
"As I visit schools across Scotland, teachers tell me
that the extra resources we have provided for dealing with
indiscipline are helping. And many local authorities are
reporting a greater willingness amongst their teachers to
record incidents of verbal and physical violence, helping
us towards an accurate picture of the scale of the
problem.
"But teachers also tell me that they continue to have
very real concerns about the level of disruption in the
classroom. That view was reflected in many responses to the
National Debate on Education - not just responses from
teachers, but from pupils and parents too.
"In the Executive's response to the National Debate I
highlighted tackling discipline problems and bullying as
one of our key priorities for school education. I said that
as well as fully implementing the recommendations of the
DTG we would consider whether further action was
necessary.
"For these reasons I have reconvened the original group.
I want to consider which recommendations are making the
greatest difference and speed up their implementation
across Scotland. And I want to discuss what extra action
may be needed to complement existing efforts in
schools.
"We are working closely with schools and local
authorities to promote good behaviour in schools. Progress
is being made but the task will not be completed until we
provide every school with the means of dealing
appropriately with incidents of poor behaviour."
The remit of the Discipline Task Group - established in
January 2001 - was to examine and make recommendations
regarding:
- the involvement of teachers in initiatives about
discipline
- strategies to deal with instances of indiscipline
and bad behaviour
- training for teachers in classroom management
- the role of parents in motivating and supporting
their children and fostering positive attitudes to
education
- the role of other agencies in improving discipline
and behaviour
Their report
Better Behaviour-Better Learning was published on 19 June 2001. It contained 36
recommendations for the Scottish Executive, local
authorities and schools. The Scottish Executive accepted
all the recommendations which are currently being rolled
out in schools across Scotland.
Funding of £10 million a year for each of the next three
years - in addition to £23 million announced over the
previous two financial years - has been provided to local
authorities for DTG implementation.
The Discipline Task Group is meeting on Monday afternoon
in Glasgow.