Basic rules of conduct at school

For general comfort and safety, the school administration adopts certain rules of conduct. They help maintain order, respect for each other, and create conditions in which learning becomes more effective. RBC Life has figured out what exactly the school rules regulate and why following them is so important.

According to Article 30 of Federal Law No. 273-FZ “On Education”, an educational organization independently adopts local regulations governing educational relations in accordance with Russian legislation [1] .

By law, every school must have a charter – a set of rules that define the structure and activities of the educational institution. In the document, the administration (if necessary, together with the student council, parents and employees) specifies:

• rules for admitting students to school;
• the procedure and reasons for expulsion and reinstatement of students;
• class schedule (schedule, number of lessons and additional classes);
• internal regulations for students and internal work regulations;
• forms of monitoring academic performance and midterm assessment;
• provisions on the procedure for providing paid educational services;
• financial and economic activity plan or budget estimate;
• forms of obtaining education (external studies, self-education according to individual programs, family education, free attendance of classes, and others).

The law does not describe the rules of conduct for students at school, so each educational institution independently defines them in local regulations. They may concern appearance, behavior during lessons and breaks, use of mobile devices, attendance at school events and other aspects of school life..

Basic rules of conduct at school

• Punctuality . You must arrive to classes on time and not be late.
• Discipline . Students are required to follow established rules of conduct during lessons and breaks.
• Respect . You must treat teachers, classmates and other school staff politely and correctly.
• Careful attitude to school property . Students are obliged to keep textbooks, furniture, equipment and other material assets of the school intact.
• Maintaining order when moving around the school . It is necessary to move along the corridors and stairs without haste, without creating a crush and without endangering yourself and others.
• Compliance with the rules of conduct in public areas . In the canteen – keep the queue, behave calmly, clean up after yourself dishes and waste. In the toilet – maintain cleanliness, use the equipment for its intended purpose. In the library – keep quiet, handle books and other materials carefully.

School uniform and appearance

On September 2, 2024, Rosstandart adopted the GOST “Clothing for students (school uniform). General technical requirements”, which will become mandatory for schools from July 1, 2025 [5] .

Head of Rosstandart Anton Shalaev explained that the GOST will help parents choose clothes made from high-quality materials for their children and will establish requirements:

• to hygroscopicity, air permeability and physical and mechanical properties;
• to color fastness;
• to manufacturing, labeling and packaging.

According to the standard, the school uniform must be secular in nature, aesthetically pleasing, in a business style, and provide comfort in statics and dynamics [6] . The uniform may include emblems, patches, and other decorative elements reflecting the symbols of the educational institution.

The new GOST does not regulate the appearance of the school uniform. According to the law on education, the school has the right to independently establish requirements for the appearance and clothing of students: its color, style, types and rules of wearing [7] .

According to psychologists, school uniforms are needed for social identity and a sense of belonging to certain social groups. In order not to deprive students of the opportunity to express themselves through clothing, some schools introduce general rules instead of uniforms. For example, a white top and dark bottoms, a ban on sports shoes and bright jewelry.

Rules of conduct in lessons

• Students should arrive 15-20 minutes before class starts to ensure they are prepared for the lesson in good time.
• When a teacher enters the classroom, students stand up as a sign of respect and sit down after the teacher’s permission.
• Before the start of the lesson, you must place all the necessary school supplies on the desk and be ready to work.
• During the lesson, you need to listen carefully to explanations, complete the teacher’s assignments and participate in discussions.
• During the lesson, it is forbidden to make noise, be distracted, or distract others with extraneous conversations or actions not related to the lesson.
• If you need to ask or answer a question, you should raise your hand and wait for the teacher’s permission.
• If you need to leave the classroom during a lesson, you must raise your hand and get permission from the teacher.
• The bell is a signal for the teacher: you can leave the classroom only after a verbal announcement about the end of the lesson.
• Students are required to keep their work area clean and tidy and to treat textbooks, furniture and equipment with care.

Rules for using gadgets at school

In December 2023, the Law on Education was amended , according to which, from September 1, 2024, schoolchildren cannot use phones during classes, even for educational purposes. The only exception is for emergency cases when the life and health of students is threatened.

Rules of conduct during breaks

During breaks the following is permitted :

• move calmly along corridors and stairs, avoiding running and sudden movements;
• prepare for the next lesson in the classroom, change into sports uniform;
• communicate with classmates in a polite manner;
• play quiet games;
• eat in the canteen.

During breaks the following is prohibited :

• fight or use physical force against other students;
• shouting, making noise and using obscene language, disturbing the order and disturbing others;
• play dangerous games;
• bring objects that pose a threat to others.

In case of violation of the rules of conduct, the student receives a reprimand, reprimand or other disciplinary action provided for by the school charter. The student and parent (or legal representative) may be invited to a conversation with a psychologist or social worker to correct the student’s behavior.

Rules of conduct in the canteen

• Enter and exit the dining room without haste, maintaining discipline and order.
• Please remove your outerwear in advance and do not bring bags or briefcases to avoid cluttering the space.
• Before eating, be sure to wash your hands with soap and dry them thoroughly.
• When receiving food, please adhere to the established queue, respecting the rights of other students.
• Speak quietly, avoid loud sounds, and do not bang cutlery.
• After eating, clear away the dishes.
• Be polite and thank the cafeteria workers for the food they prepare.

Compliance with the rules of conduct in the school cafeteria helps maintain order, safety and a comfortable atmosphere for all students.

How to behave in emergency situations

• Don’t panic, quickly and calmly follow the teacher’s instructions.
• Evacuate in an orderly manner, without stopping to collect personal belongings.
• Do not stop or get distracted during the evacuation.
• Move to the nearest exit without creating a crush.
• If necessary, take cover under a table or near a load-bearing wall.
• Report any suspicious objects or situations to an adult.

Responsibility for violation of the rules

Failure to comply with school standards leads to consequences that depend on the degree of violation:

• verbal remark;
• entry in a diary or journal;
• an official warning from the teachers’ council or administration;
• disciplinary action (reprimand, warning, suspension from classes or expulsion from school).

Parents may be invited to a meeting with the class teacher, teacher or school administration. In some cases, they may be called officially if the student’s behavior raises serious concerns.

If the school suffers material damage, minors between the ages of 14 and 18 are responsible for the damage caused. In the absence of income, responsibility is placed on the parents [8] .

Any punishments must comply with the school charter and the law “On Education in the Russian Federation”. Disciplinary measures must not humiliate the dignity of students or violate their rights. The school is obliged to protect the rights of students and create a safe and comfortable learning environment. If a student feels that he is being treated unfairly, bullied , he can seek help from a school psychologist, social worker and class teacher. If the situation is not resolved, it is worth discussing it with the school principal or even contacting the education department.