First a sandal, then ....

The latest incident when a teacher loses her composure and lashes out a student seems symptomatic of our school environment at present. In this case, she flung her sandal at a seven-year-old boy for chatting when class was in session. Once upon a time, the boy would have been given a hit with a ruler on his knuckles for his misbehaviour or at least standing up on a chair for the duration of the lesson. Which would be the better punishment or is it even necessary?

The students of the internet age are a different kettle of fish compared to their parents' generation and definitely far removed from their grandparents' time. A different approach is sorely needed to rein in the naughty and inattentive students. Shall we look at the pedantic teaching methods or the less than palatable curriculum itself? The teachers training module has to be revamped to take into account the different challenges that face them when they are sent to schools.

There will be some students who will be talking among themselves and distracting the others in class but throwing a sandal at them is not a solution. The boy in this case was traumatised and has been transferred to another school. However naughty the boy might be, a teacher's role is to teach and not to throw things at their students. It is such a shame that the naughty boy has to be reprimanded in that manner.

Being naughty in itself should not be the reason for the punishment but finding out why the boy was naughty should be of more importance. It will take time to engage the boy to find the reason for his behaviour and the solution might just be a simple change in the way the lessons are being taught. That boy and every other student who are naughty or who are driving the teachers up the wall need guidance rather than punishment. They have the potential to better themselves with the help of the teachers. The education system at present seem quick to punish those who defy the norms but all these adolescent mischief are just what we seen on the surface. There must be reasons under the surface which will help us to better understand the situation and resolve any problem encountered. It is the duty of the teacher to find that cause rather than react to the effect.

Image from vasylimedical