by head teachers.

They pave the way for the first Discipline Code for primary and secondary schools.

A draft copy of the code was yesterday released to The Royal Gazette by Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira.

It states pupils who use or sell drugs will be reported to Police -- and could face expulsion.

And it suggests principals may recommend drug users seek rehabilitation.

"Where a student is found in possession of drugs, the administrator must notify parents,'' the draft code says. "There is no question that a person found to be selling drugs shall be suspended immediately and an expulsion may be requested.'' On violence, it says incidents will be reported to parents and possibly Police.

"The principal shall give a report by telephone to the Police Department only if the injured party wishes a student to be prosecuted.

"In such cases it is the responsibility of the injured party to file a complaint with the Police Department.'' The draft code also covers corporal punishment, and sets out the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, teachers and principals.

It has been drawn up by a principals' committee. Ms Esme Williams, from Southampton Glebe Primary, is chairman.

Members are Ms Pat Holder, Warwick Secondary; Ms Eunice Jones, Woodlands School; Mr. Warren Jones, Northlands Secondary; Mr. Llewelyn Smith, West End Primary; and Ms Ann Charlotte Ming, Harrington Sound Primary.

This weekend Dr. Terceira met with the Parent Teachers' Association to discuss the code.

"I have instructed the PTA to report back in writing their input before May 1, 1994,'' said Dr. Terceira yesterday.

"The Ministry will collate the input and produce another draft. I would also like students to have some input.'' He added: "This is just a working document. I want to get schools to produce their own code within this framework.'' Dr. Terceira said corporal punishment -- still on Bermuda's books -- needed to be fully debated.

Should it be abolished, and must Bermuda comply with the United Kingdom and European conventions? "These are questions that have to be addressed,'' he said.

Permanent Secretary of Education Dr. Marion Robinson explained the thinking behind the draft code.

Parents had voiced concern about different punishments at schools for the same offence.

"They wanted the same consequence for a pupil's action.'' She added: "There has also been over the last two years a lot of concern about discipline, particularly as it relates to violent and disruptive behaviour.'' Dr. Robinson said the code would lead to greater consultation with the Police and Attorney General's chambers.

She said schools already had their own discipline codes.

"They will still be able to have their own, so long as nothing in them contradicts with the Island wide code.'' Chief Education Officer Mr. Dean Furbert said: "The draft code is just that.

I want to emphasise it is not a final code.'' He accepted many schools were probably already putting into place rules laid down in the draft code.

Mr. Furbert expected the final code to be ready by the end of June.

On corporal punishment, the draft code states it should be handed out by the principal, or his deputy.

Alternatively, a teacher could beat a pupil in the presence of the principal.

"The punishment shall be witnessed by a responsible adult who shall initial the punishment book entry in confirmation.'' It adds: "In accordance with Education Rules, Corporal Punishment shall not be administered except by the principal or deputy principal, or by an assistant teacher in his or her presence.

"A girl shall not receive corporal punishment except at the hands of a member of her own sex.'' The draft code says a principal may recommend expulsion if a pupil: Displays utter contempt for the principal or any other staff member through verbal or physical abuse; Causes serious physical injury to another; Possesses any weapon, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to a student; Sells or is involved in selling a "controlled substance''; and Robs or extorts at the school.

If the head has exhausted all other options, he must get an Exemption From Attendance Form completed, the draft code states.

"Upon completion of the Exemption From Attendance Form, the principal must have a conference with the parent(s) of the child in question.

"Present at the conference should be the principal, a school counsellor, and any other personnel deemed appropriate by the principal.''