Forum Letter Replies
Protecting Staff
We thank Mr Wong Heng Tong (“Take stern action to keep teachers from harm’s way”, 31 Jul) and Mr Daniel Chan (“Clarify how teachers and other school staff are protected from such a hazard”, 3 Aug) for their feedback.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) believes that an orderly classroom environment marked by respect for teachers and peers is necessary for learning to take place. The MOE does not condone any display of disrespect by our students towards their teachers.
The MOE and schools will investigate each complaint by our staff and take appropriate actions to protect their well-being. Besides their supervisors or school leaders, teachers have access to their cluster superintendent and the MOE’s personnel division.
All schools take a serious view of disciplinary matters and will investigate all reported cases. Schools will use disciplinary measures where appropriate. They have the autonomy to decide on the approach, taking into consideration the students’ level of maturity and intent.
Director, Schools
Ministry of Education
Take stern action to keep teachers from harm’s way (Wong Heng Tong, ST Forum, 3/8, pA18)
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.
Clarify how teachers and other school staff are protected from such a hazard (Daniel Chan, ST Forum, 31/7, pA37)
I read with dismay yesterday’s report (‘Girl, 14, allegedly kicks her teacher’). The school seemed to empathise more with the student than the teacher. The student was given time off, while I believe the teacher will have to continue attending school in the wake of her trauma. Can the Education Ministry clarify how teachers and other school staff are protected from such a hazard?