Sandal, apology and hugs

The teacher who threw a slipper at her seven-year-old pupil has apologised to the boy and his parents. The teacher also mentioned that she had no intention of hitting the boy and did not aim the slipper at him. She hugged the boy's mother at the press conference while apologising and was heard saying to the boy, “you know I love you” as his mother looked on. Doesn't that scene make us a bit misty eyed and feel that lump in the throat? All of us must have sighed a big relief that the incident had not blown out of proportion.

As one letter to the editor suggested, the teacher should not throw sandals in future but throw him out of class instead. The writer reminded the teacher that she should not be afraid to instill discipline after this incident as children must learn from young that they cannot talk in class. That behaviour is disruptive and rude.

I'm unsure whether throwing the boy out of class would solve the problem as he might disrupt other classes or students. I would prefer him to be send to a corner or made to stand during the duration of the class so he will still be under the supervision of the teacher. Another way might be to let the boy talk in front of the class so all present could listen to what he has in mind. Let him summarise what seemed so important to him that he felt that he must share his thoughts with those sitting near him during that lesson.

It must have been an interesting topic to the boy that he felt it was more important than what the teacher was saying. Aren't we curious to find out what it was?

Image from zazzle