Student Discipline
April 02, 2026
School Discipline Circular 11/2026 & 12/2016 Sri Lanka – Full Guidelines, Rules & Legal Actions
The Ministry of Education has issued Circular 11/2026 (30.03.2026) reinforcing strict rules on maintaining discipline in schools, alongside Circular 12/2016. These circulars emphasize zero tolerance for corporal punishment, student protection, legal consequences, and positive disciplinary approaches. Below is a complete, simplified breakdown.
📢 Circular 11/2026 Overview
Issued on 30.03.2026 by Ministry of Education.
Works together with Circular 12/2016.
⚖️ Supreme Court (FR 461/2012) emphasized.
Works together with Circular 12/2016.
⚖️ Supreme Court (FR 461/2012) emphasized.
🚫 Zero Tolerance Policy
No physical or psychological punishment allowed.
✔ Corporal punishment strictly banned
✔ Legal action will be taken against offenders
✔ Corporal punishment strictly banned
✔ Legal action will be taken against offenders
👍 Positive Discipline Approach
Schools must use positive intervention methods:
✔ Counseling & guidance
✔ Student support systems
✔ Encouraging good behavior
✔ Counseling & guidance
✔ Student support systems
✔ Encouraging good behavior
📚 Concept of Discipline
Discipline means following school rules and values.
Teachers must:
✔ Build relationships with students
✔ Identify personal issues
✔ Create supportive learning environment
Teachers must:
✔ Build relationships with students
✔ Identify personal issues
✔ Create supportive learning environment
⚠️ Effects of Corporal Punishment
- Violence & anti-social behavior
- Child abuse risks
- Poor teacher-student relationships
- Low academic performance
- Loss of self-esteem
- Property damage
🏫 Disciplinary Committee
Every school must have a disciplinary board:
✔ Principal
✔ Deputy/Assistant Principals
✔ Discipline teachers
All incidents must be properly documented.
✔ Principal
✔ Deputy/Assistant Principals
✔ Discipline teachers
All incidents must be properly documented.
✅ Alternative Actions (Allowed)
- Co-curricular activities
- Counseling
- Warnings & guidance
- Parent meetings
- Temporary suspension (max 2 weeks)
- Remove privileges
- Transfer with approval
🔒 Student Privacy
Disciplinary actions must respect student dignity.
❌ Do NOT publicly shame students.
❌ Do NOT publicly shame students.
⚖️ Legal Consequences
Violations may lead to:
✔ Fundamental Rights cases
✔ Criminal charges
✔ Disciplinary action under Establishments Code
✔ Fundamental Rights cases
✔ Criminal charges
✔ Disciplinary action under Establishments Code
🚨 Child Protection
Child abuse includes inappropriate activities.
❗ Sexual abuse = severe punishment
❗ Staff misconduct = legal action
Schools must cooperate with NCPA.
❗ Sexual abuse = severe punishment
❗ Staff misconduct = legal action
Schools must cooperate with NCPA.
📄 Download Circulars
