In the study reported on I investigated how empowering school management teams through a revised learners' code of conduct can improve school discipline management. Using a quantitative research methodology with an exploratory design, data were gathered from 127 respondents across 50 selected schools in the Vhembe district of the Limpopo province, South Africa. School management teams and teachers completed surveys focused on managing learner discipline. Data were collected through a closed-ended Likert scale questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using an IBM SPSS 26 statistical program. Grounded in social learning theory, I aimed at repositioning a learners' code of conduct to enhance discipline management. The effectiveness and enforceability of a code by the school management teams while assessing their legal compliance competencies were specifically analysed. The findings reveal that school management teams often lack effective strategies and interventions to tackle learner discipline challenges. I emphasise that it is crucial for South African researchers to continue making meaningful contributions to the teaching profession, despite its current instabilities. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on school management strategies and provides valuable insights for optimising discipline management practices in schools.