Daily Lesson from Life 20 October 2008

"Mon, Oct 20, 2008 AsiaOne When teachers attack

Recently, teachers have been in the news for their inappropriate behaviour, sometimes even inflicting harsh punishment on their students. Here's a look at the more shocking cases that have happened.“

What happened to teachers these days? Well, at least some of them are not behaving appropriately. Maybe some the virtues of being the 'developer of the future leaders of our nation', of being a sacred vocation instead of just another job, no longer sparkled in our teachers. It is just another job! To make ends meet!

Lessons for me:

1. teaching is one of the sacred vocations that need to be staffed by people who are emotionally engaged and professionally qualified people. It is not a job and the recruitment campaign should make that very clear so that new teachers cannot used 'I did not know it was 'like these' after taking on the position!;

2. I also wonder aloud if the teachers are properly developed and given time to mature and coming into their own at a less pressurised environment. The Ministry of Education can provide the survey result to assess how their teachers are coping;

3. as with all things, when you are passionate about it, you are normally able to make sacrifices, sometimes unconditionally, to upgrade your own skills and keep improving! So, do you have the passion to teach and be mentally prepared for some students with difficulties that they resulted them behaving like 'difficult students'! In my mind, there is NO 'difficult people' but 'people with difficulties'!

May the teachers who acted inappropriately be disciplined appropriately and that they turn over a new leaf. Otherwise, they can choose to leave the professional as it is not a job. It is a vocation and required lots focus and dedication. And it does not pay that well too!!