Teachers too soft on students?

Gone are the days when children were afraid of telling their parents about the punishment they received in school, for fear of being scolded at home. Many teachers today are loathe to punish students for fear of retaliation from parents and students themselves. Is this why students are more indisciplined these days?


MANY years ago, there used to be pin-drop silence in classrooms on report card day. Today, teachers and parents struggle to hear each other over the chaos caused by noisy students. Teachers don't do much except say, "keep quiet!" and this, too, is usually ignored.

Somewhere along the way, the tables have turned. Are our school teachers adopting a more relaxed attitude?

The method of disciplining now is different, acknowledges the National Union of the Teaching Profession.


Its president, Hashim Adnan, says: "There is no such punishment as standing on the chair any more. What if the child falls? What happens if a child starts vomiting after he or she is made to run around the school field?

"Among the thousands, one or two may use the old method of pulling the ears, but the younger teachers don't do this any more.

"During staff meetings, teachers are told not to touch the students. If there is a problem, it should be the principal who handles things. This is the usual advice, especially to new male teachers who may get angry very fast. Students can be corrected verbally without using harsh words."

He says proper guidelines should be followed when disciplining students.

"The rules may differ from one school to another. Basically, teachers can take action but they must follow the rules. For instance, girls are not to be hit with the rod. Boys who have disciplinary problems should be warned a few times and their parents consulted. If there are still problems, they can be caned in the headmaster or discipline master's room, but never in public."

Teachers and principals, Hashim says, should take record of all warnings.

"The police have their guidelines. The first thing that will be asked if there is a complaint is whether the school has followed the step-by-step rulings."

Retired teachers say the method of disciplining now is different for a number of reasons. Sabbir Ali Hussin, 62, says the current system does little to support teachers.

"If a teacher takes action against a child who has misbehaved, there is usually someone who files a complaint, resulting in the teacher being demoralised. Discipline has not deteriorated over the years, but interference from outside has increased. That's why some teachers have adopted a tidak apa (don't care) approach.

"Teachers are also under a lot of pressure. Most teachers have to move between six classes of 40 students each, that is a total of 240 different minds to handle. Some schools have over 3,000 students. How do you control that?

"There needs to be a separate department to handle registration and disciplinary issues. A teacher's task is to impart knowledge, not to stand at the front gate to catch students who come late or penalise those who are not wearing name tags."

Retired school principal William Doraisamy says problems in schools have not changed, but the nature of discipline has.

"Normal offences such as stealing, gangsterism, cheating during exams, destroying property, truancy and distribution of porn have been around for decades, but now it's more widespread.

"Students are indisciplined in a more sophisticated way. Their minds and hearts have not changed, but they have become bolder."

He says there are many factors contributing to this and the problem is "almost irreparable".

"The social scenario in schools is evolving. Everything is exam-oriented, sometimes at the expense of discipline. Many teachers focus their attention on academic results instead of moral values. Often, discipline is left to the disciplinary board when it should be the duty of every teacher."

Parents, media and the Internet, he says, are also partly to blame for the rise in school disciplinary problems.

"Many parents have neglected teaching their children the importance of social etiquette. Children are not taught to respect their elders or property, causing many to be rebellious.

"There is also an increasing number of parents who criticise teachers in front of their children. Calling teachers bodoh (stupid) causes children to lose respect for teachers. Many websites and television programmes don't teach good values. As a result, children are more boisterous and answer back."

If this is so, should discipline methods be more "harsh"?

Counsellor Major Tarlochan Singh believes that the emotional well-being of a child should always be taken into account.

"I believe punishment should be based on the severity of the problem. Caning should only be carried out if the child has done something really bad.

"Furthermore, parents should be notified based on proof and they must be informed of the type of punishment. I believe that punishment should be done in a controlled environment. Done by correct people and in the right setting, the punishment will be accepted by the child and parents."

Read more: Teachers too soft on students? http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/01avschool/Article/#ixzz0vKTeD0fl

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"Relaxing" teacher will influence attitude among student, can not be denied again because students today do not respect their teachers more.

For potential teachers, take the mental and physical to be a teacher..