tone of a recently released draft Discipline Code which she says places too much emphasis on punishment and not enough on prevention.

The draft, which was drawn up by head teachers, contains rules on tackling problems of drugs and violence in the schools.

It covers issues surrounding corporal punishment and recommends that pupils who use or sell drugs be reported to Police and even expelled.

Ms Smith told The Royal Gazette she had picked up a copy of the draft and planned to compare it to a similar document prepared by Government in 1985.

"I am waiting to see what the National Parents Teachers Association have to say about it, but I do have some concerns about its emphasis on punishment as opposed to prevention.

"The minister has already admitted that many of our kids are raising themselves,'' she said. "The school is the only structure many of them have.

We have to provide training programmes for them in school so they can have some guidance.'' Ms Smith pointed out that Government produced a similar draft in 1985, but what was needed was a programme that also gave guidance, so that discipline could be secondary to prevention.

Senate Opposition Leader Milton Scott said the Bermuda Union of Teachers had been approached by the Ministry of Education to write a draft code last year.

"But we wrote back and said that it should not be only teachers involved,'' he said. "Instead it should involve teachers, principals, parents and the Ministry. What they have now is a draft written only by principals. We feel all parties with an interest in this should help to write it. As it stands, this draft is doomed to fail.'' However, Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said that the aim behind the draft was to get as broad a cross-section of input as possible.

"The trend in dealing with children with behaviour problems is prevention,'' he said. "This draft is just a start. We are also holding workshops to help teachers deal with these children. But many of the teachers have to be trained.

"The essential issue is how does one get a youngster with behaviour problems back on track. The guide merely sets out options for discussion. After all we have to start somewhere.''