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Aug 3, 2010
Take stern action to keep teachers from harm's way
I READ last Friday's report ('Girl, 14, allegedly kicks her teacher') with a mixture of anguish and anger.
The secondary student in question allegedly harmed her English language teacher three times in one day - stomping on her foot, kicking her twice in the abdomen and then hitting her on the head. However, the punishment she received was surprising for an alleged offence as serious as assault - after she apologised to her teacher, she was 'given time off from school to reflect on her actions and assigned schoolwork to be completed at home'.
I write this letter to express my deep concern for today's teachers. The abused teacher suffered physical and emotional pain, and humiliation before an entire class. Obviously, teachers are not sufficiently protected from harm at the hands of students.
An employee who attacks his employer or colleague could be punished with dismissal from work. One might argue that the girl should be forgiven on account of her age; but to condone is not to forgive. What values are we imparting to students if we signal that the severity of the punishment does not match that of the offence?
If the penalty is too light, more students would be emboldened to commit similar acts. The accused already had a record of being rude to teachers and violent in school. No teacher should be exposed to such danger.
Teachers are made to take on many roles today, but being an outlet for a student's anger should never be one of them.
In a culture which expects teachers to devote themselves to caring for their students, guiding them and helping them to do well academically, let us also ensure that measures are in place to protect the teachers.
Wong Heng Tong
Home > ST Forum > Story
Aug 3, 2010
Take stern action to keep teachers from harm's way
I READ last Friday's report ('Girl, 14, allegedly kicks her teacher') with a mixture of anguish and anger.
The secondary student in question allegedly harmed her English language teacher three times in one day - stomping on her foot, kicking her twice in the abdomen and then hitting her on the head. However, the punishment she received was surprising for an alleged offence as serious as assault - after she apologised to her teacher, she was 'given time off from school to reflect on her actions and assigned schoolwork to be completed at home'.
I write this letter to express my deep concern for today's teachers. The abused teacher suffered physical and emotional pain, and humiliation before an entire class. Obviously, teachers are not sufficiently protected from harm at the hands of students.
An employee who attacks his employer or colleague could be punished with dismissal from work. One might argue that the girl should be forgiven on account of her age; but to condone is not to forgive. What values are we imparting to students if we signal that the severity of the punishment does not match that of the offence?
If the penalty is too light, more students would be emboldened to commit similar acts. The accused already had a record of being rude to teachers and violent in school. No teacher should be exposed to such danger.
Teachers are made to take on many roles today, but being an outlet for a student's anger should never be one of them.
In a culture which expects teachers to devote themselves to caring for their students, guiding them and helping them to do well academically, let us also ensure that measures are in place to protect the teachers.
Wong Heng Tong
