The draft Education Bill 2025 introduces strong legal protections for teachers and students, with penalties of up to $5,000 and one year imprisonment for anyone who insults, harasses or assaults school staff or learners.
Under Section 169, it becomes an offence for any person to insult or harass a teacher, with the proposed law stating offenders may face a fine not exceeding $5,000, a jail term of up to one year, or both.
The Bill goes further to criminalise violence against staff and students. Anyone who assaults a teacher or student will face the same maximum penalty.
The proposed legislation also targets disruptive behaviour on school grounds.
A person who maliciously disturbs a school programme in the presence or hearing of students commits an offence and is likewise liable to a $5,000 fine, up to a year in prison, or both.
