KUALA LUMPUR: Teachers must not be easily demoralised by the mounting media criticism against them, but be professional in handling the issue of indiscipline among students.
At the same time, society has been told not to be too quick in judging and penalising teachers whose actions in punishing indisciplined students may be seen as excessive.
At least three ministers — Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim and Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin — have given this advice to teachers.
Met after the final of a quiz competition, Kuiz Perdana Khas Kemerdekaan, organised by the three ministries and held at Angkasapuri here, the ministers said they wanted teachers to have an open mind and regard the negative media reports and criticism as lessons to be learned.
Hishammuddin said there was still a large section of society that appreciated and recognised the sacrifices and contributions made by teachers.
So, they must be steadfast and not be easily disheartened in carrying out the tasks entrusted to them, he added.
Of late, the media has been carrying reports of what were deemed excessive punishment meted out on students for indiscipline.
The latest was the case of a teacher and school hostel warden in Sarawak, who made nearly 200 female students squat in a fish pond after they repeatedly ignored her warnings not to clog the toilet bowls by dumping their sanitary pads into them (see report on P4).
In light of this, Hishammuddin reminded teachers to be sensible when meting out punishment on indisciplined students so that their actions would not be misconstrued and cause other teachers to feel that they were also wronged.
Meanwhile, Zainuddin said stern disciplinary actions by teachers had often been misunderstood by some quarters, although strict teachers had proven to produce a generation of disciplined individuals.
"Perhaps the action by the school warden was to teach some of the errant students a good lesson, that is, not to repeat their bad habit.
"We can’t deny that there are teachers who have good intentions. I believe the Sarawak teacher has a good intention too because the problem facing the school hostel is not new but has been going on for a long time."
Rais said the approach used in teaching should combine gentle persuasion and stern or disciplinary action.
"However, disciplinary actions could be refined to suit current times without jeopardising the value of learning for the students involved." — Bernama
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