DETERIORATION IN SCHOOL LIFE
SITUATIONS OF LACK OF DISCIPLINE
Respondents amounting to 80% affirm that, in the last three years, there have been situations of lack of discipline at their schools (see graph 8). Among the remaining 20%, those who affirm in higher percentages that there are no situations of lack of discipline are the representatives of private school holders. They are followed in this sense by representatives of the parents, representatives of the Local Government and the administration and services staff. On the other hand, the lowest percentages on the non existence of situations of lack of discipline are reported by the principals (13%), head of studies (13%), students (15%), non School Council member teachers (17%) and School Council member teachers (20%).

Graph 8. Existence and frequency of situations of lack of discipline at the school
The answers show that the situation of lack of discipline "uproar outside the classroom" is by far the most frequent, the second situation in frequency is that of "lack of respect for companions", followed by "uproar in the classroom", "moral aggression: jeering, insults, threats ...", "lack of respect for the teachers" and "truancy". As may be seen, the first three situations of lack of discipline: uproar in and out of the classroom and lack of respect for companions arise with a frequency that may be considered high; moral aggression (jeering, insults ...) with an average frequency and the last two, lack of respect for the teachers and truancy have very low average frequency levels.
Considering the last three years, the answers as to how the discipline related situations are evolving are fairly heterogeneous and divided opinions are noted. There is 32% which affirms that the situation is gradually improving, 41% states that the situation is more or less the same and 27% considers lack of discipline is increasing. Considering that 27%, the main cause lies in the students' lack of interest, followed by family problems and the presence of repeating students. The presence of closed or intolerant groups, or there being teachers who do not perform their duties properly or are disinterested in practice of their profession is less important in the order of possible causes of lack of discipline. The greatest significant differences between the sectors of the group are to be found in the answers by the teaching staff (including the principal and head of studies) and parents. Also between the teaching staff, principal, head of studies and the students' opinion.
Over the last three years (1994-97), at the schools included in the sample that answered the Questionnaire (534), there were 207 schools that have imposed a penalties without a disciplinary record, and 161 schools have imposed penalties after inchoating a disciplinary record. The courts have had to intervene at 19 schools. There was an average of four penalties per school over the three year period, amounting to 1.3 penalties per annum. Those with a disciplinary record amount to 0.6 penalties per school per annum and a much lower number in the case of penalties with intervention by the courts.
The actions by unipersonal bodies at schools in disciplinary matters do not seem to have been very numerous. The average per school per annum is almost 13 written warnings, 19 appearances before the head of studies, 9 before the principal and 8.5 summons for the parents of indisciplined students.
As may be seen on table 7, 79% of the schools have had not suffered any considerable vandalism during school hours.
Over the three years, on 113 there has been considerable vandalism during school hours, vandalism that has been referred to the School Council or Teachers' Assembly. Vandalism has taken place on 151 occasions outside of school hours. Not enough information is available to be able to compare these figures to be able to note whether the situations are deteriorating and increase year after year, or if on the contrary they are decreasing.