What are the punishments or sanctions applicable to middle school or high school?

Verified 14 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Your child is in middle school or high school and does not respect his school obligations? Depending on the seriousness of the facts, several types of measures may be taken against him: punishment, preventive measure, precautionary measure or penalty. These measures are not taken by the same people and do not have the same importance. Only the sanction can be challenged by an appeal. We present you the regulations to know.

Punishment

The punishment is a measure taken against your child in the event of a minor breach of his obligations or in the event of disruptive behavior.

Example :

When your child forgets his or her school materials, he or she is guilty of a minor breach of duty.

A teacher or staff (management, education or supervision) can decide.

Punishment must be provided for by the rules and regulations of the establishment.

It cannot be collective. It must be individual, but may involve more than one pupil.

Warning  

Note 0 cannot be used as punishment.

Here are the punishments that can be taken against your child.

The entry on the correspondence book is a punishment whose motive is explained to your child.

You must sign the booklet to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

A public apology is a punishment that is explained to your child.

You will be informed by an entry in the correspondence book. You must sign the booklet to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

An additional duty is a punishment whose motive is explained to your child. The duty is corrected by the person who gave the punishment.

You will be informed by an entry in the correspondence book. You must sign the booklet to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

Restraint is a punishment that is explained to your child.

You will be informed by an entry in the correspondence book. You must sign the booklet to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

Exclusion from classes is a punishment for which your child is told the reason. He must perform a duty in the institution during his exclusion.

You will be informed by an entry in the correspondence book. You must sign the booklet to indicate that you have read the punishment.

This punishment is not recorded in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

Preventive measure

The preventive measure is intended to prevent a dangerous act from occurring.

The preventive measure must be provided for in rules and regulations of the establishment.

For example, a teacher or management, education or supervisory staff may decide to confiscate a dangerous or prohibited object to your child. He must then hand over the object to the staff of the establishment. This object may in particular be a lighter or a cutter.

Please note

The search of the student is prohibited.

The educational commission may also take a preventive measure to avoid the repetition of a prohibited act. For example, getting a student to commit to specific behavioral goals.

The preventive measure is not included in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

Precautionary measure

The precautionary measure ensures order in the institution in the event of disciplinary proceedings against your child.

The precautionary measure must be provided for by rules and regulations of the establishment.

The head teacher may thus prohibit your child from entering the college or high school in the event of disciplinary proceedings brought against him.

Access to the establishment may be prohibited during 2 working days minimum or until the date of the Disciplinary Board if it has been seized.

The precautionary measure is not included in your child's school record. You can't appeal it.

Penalty

The penalty is a measure taken against your child in the event of a serious or repeated breach of his obligations. The penalty includes offenses against persons (e.g. verbal or physical abuse) or property (e.g. damage to or destruction of equipment).

The penalty must be provided for in rules and regulations of the establishment.

It cannot be collective. It must be individual, but may involve several students.

Warning  

Note 0 may not be imposed as a sanction.

Here are the punishments that can be taken against your child.

THEwarning is 1er rank in the sanctions scale.

Who can take the sanction?

The head of school or the disciplinary council (of the school or department) can sanction your child with a warning.

How is the sanction taken?

The warning must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for the penalty must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be yours notified specifying the time limits and the means of appeal.

Is the penalty recorded in the child's school record?

Yes. It is erased at the end of the school year. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes school.

How can the sanction be challenged?

You can challenge the sanction by making a administrative appeal  to the head of the school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of the academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the sanction by contentious remedies before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

The blame is a written and solemn reminder.

Who can take the sanction?

The head of the school or the disciplinary council (of the school or department) can punish your child with a reprimand.

How is the sanction taken?

The reprimand must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for the penalty must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be yours notified specifying the time limits and the means of appeal.

Is the penalty recorded in the child's school record?

Yes. It shall be deleted at the end of the school year following that in which the penalty is imposed. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes school.

How can the sanction be challenged?

You can challenge the sanction by making a administrative appeal to the head of the school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of the academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the sanction by contentious remedies before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

The accountability measure punish your child by involving him in educational, cultural, solidarity and training activities.

For example, it may be a meeting with civil protection officers to sanction the triggering of the alarm of the school.

Who can take the sanction?

The head of school or the disciplinary council (of the school or departmental) can sanction your child with a measure of accountability.

How is the sanction taken?

The accountability measure must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for the penalty must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be yours notified specifying the time limits and the means of appeal.

The penalty may last 20 hours maximum. It takes place outside teaching hours, in the school or outside.

Your child can be sanctioned with reprieve.

Accountability can be an alternative to temporary exclusion. In this case, it can be carried out, in part, during teaching hours.

You must give your consent for your minor child to carry out an accountability measure outside of teaching hours. If your child is of legal age, he will have to give his own consent.

Is the penalty recorded in your child's school record?

Yes. It shall be deleted at the end of the school year following that in which the penalty is imposed. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes school.

How can the sanction be challenged?

You can challenge the sanction by making a administrative appeal  to the head of the school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of the academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the sanction by contentious remedies before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

Who can take the sanction?

The head of the institution or the disciplinary council (of the institution or department) may exclude temporarily your child of class.

How is the sanction taken?

Temporary exclusion from the class must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for the penalty must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be yours notified specifying the time limits and the means of appeal.

Exclusion may last 8 daysworking days maximum.

Your child is taken care of in the establishment during his exclusion.

Your child may be given a suspended sentence.

FYI  

A conditional sentence is not carried out. It will only be in case of further non-compliance with the Regulation.

Is the penalty recorded in the child's school record?

Yes. It is erased at the end of year 2e school year following that in which the penalty was imposed. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes school.

How can the sanction be challenged?

You can challenge the sanction by making a administrative appeal to the head of the school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of the academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the sanction by contentious remedies before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

Who can take the sanction?

The head of the institution or the disciplinary council (of the institution or department) may exclude temporarily your child of the establishment.

How is the sanction taken?

Temporary exclusion from the establishment must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for the penalty must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be yours notified specifying the time limits and the means of appeal.

Exclusion may last 8 working days maximum. Your child may be suspended.

FYI  

A conditional sentence is not carried out. It will only be in case of further non-compliance with the Regulation.

Is the penalty recorded in the child's school record?

Yes. It is erased at the end of year 2e school year following that in which the penalty was imposed. It can also be deleted on request if your child changes school.

How can the sanction be challenged?

You can challenge the sanction by making a administrative appeal to the head of the school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of the academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the sanction by contentious remedies before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

Who can take the sanction?

The Disciplinary Board (of the institution or departmental) may permanently exclude your child of the establishment.

How is the sanction taken?

The definitive exclusion of the establishment must be justified and proportionate to the fault. The reason for the penalty must be explained to your child.

The penalty must be yours notified specifying the time limits and the means of appeal. The sanction must also be communicated to the mayor of the commune of your home.

Your child must be assigned to a new facility.

Your child may be given a suspended sentence.

FYI  

A conditional sentence is not carried out. It will only be in case of further non-compliance with the Regulation.

Is the penalty recorded in the child's school record?

Yes. The inclusion of the final exclusion in the child's school record cannot be deleted.

How can the sanction be challenged?

You can challenge the sanction by making a administrative appeal to the head of the school (ex gratia appeal) and/or to the rector of the academy (hierarchical appeal).

You can also challenge the sanction by contentious remedies before the administrative judge of the place of the school.

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