ST Forum:Principals Shouldn't B Afraid To Support Teachers

[Vulcann]

I am not exactly a dinosaur in terms of age but it was normal to get canned or whacked by my kampong school teachers those days.

 

Mind you I got my knuckles knocked by a steel rule till they bled by my form teacher together with other rowdy boys in the class and when I told my mum what happened later, all she said was "Orbi good!" So much so for being a loving mother [laugh]

 

No parents I know raised an eyebrow when their kids got corporal punishment in my days and the common reaction back then was something like well-we-are-busy-earning-a-living-&-good-that-the-school-help-us-to-discipline-the-little-rascal type of response.

 

Well having said that we are in the modern age so the school authorities have to be extremely careful and of course tactful when dealing with parents especially the loud ones. If not later bo tai bo chi kena police report

 

During the latest meet the parents session, our P2 gal's assistant form teacher provided a "feedback" that our princess was very talkative and not paying attention during lesson time.

 

My exact words to her was "We are sorry that she disrupted your lesson and please discipline her on our behalf if she does that again. We will appreciate that. Thank you"

 

Well that's just us.

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...achers-20120926

 

Principals shouldn't be afraid to support their teachers

 

Published on Sep 26, 2012

 

IT IS heartening that the Education Minister has taken a strong public stand against parents who are excessively and unreasonably demanding, and who intercede on behalf of their children over trivial issues of disciplinary and related matters at school ("Standing firm against unreasonable demands"; Sept 13).

 

School principals should follow suit and stand by their teachers when parents demand explanation or redress for disciplining their children.

 

Principals are the mentors, advisers, confidantes and role models to their teaching staff.

 

It is their responsibility to provide the sense of understanding and strong leadership on any issue of parental or societal complaint made against their teachers.

 

During my 40 years in teaching, I have seen principals turning white at the sight of aggressive parents visiting them to complain about teacher misconduct.

 

The standard procedure was to cave in to the complainants' demands for apology even if there were strong extenuating reasons for the teachers' action or inaction.

 

In my view, parental interference was trending up when I retired in 2003.

 

This is not to say there were no principals who stood up for their staff and mollified parents at the same time. One school head, upon receipt of a complaint against his staff for the corporal punishment of a schoolboy, visited the parents the same night, with his vice-principal and the offending teacher in tow.

 

He apologised to the irate parents on the teacher's behalf, offered to pay for the medical fees and also assured them he would ensure there would be no more corporal punishment in the future.

 

His quick and decisive actions, and his powerful plea on behalf of the teacher, convinced the parents to drop their intended court action against the teacher.

 

There was also no hair pulling on the principal's part. He counselled the teacher in private and made a general advisory on the issue at the following teachers' contact time.

 

School principals can do much in the concerted effort to raise teacher-parent cooperation and synergy by playing the role of a resourceful, impartial yet compassionate facilitator.

 

Also, a thorough, objective and calm investigation into any allegations against a teacher would go a long way in empowering our nation builders to discharge their duties and responsibilities with confidence, passion and conviction.

 

Ho Kong Loon

[Maz0608]

I won't be so stupid to tell my parents after being disciplined in school last time if not I will kenna more from my mother.

[Vulcann]

I won't be so stupid to tell my parents after being disciplined in school last time if not I will kenna more from my mother.

 

Bro when your knuckles are bleeding it is not exactly easy to hide them over the dining table [laugh]

[Gizmore]

Because schools these days run like a corporation. Principle and HODs where got time to mentor junior teachers? They need to work their a---off to meet KPIs.

[Fireball0088]

Last time, teachers bullied children. Now the children have all grown up and it is their turn to bully the teachers....

 

 

[Maz0608]

Bro when your knuckles are bleeding it is not exactly easy to hide them over the dining table [laugh]

Last time after a fight in school... school uniform torn, school bag strap got ripped off and face blue black and bleeding from the edge of the mouth.. go home also dun dare tell mother got into a fight... simply told her I fell into a drain while walking to a bus stop.

 

That night saw my mother's eyes red red while sewing my school uniform and school bag...

[Toothiewabbit]

I am not exactly a dinosaur in terms of age but it was normal to get canned or whacked by my kampong school teachers those days.

 

Mind you I got my knuckles knocked by a steel rule till they bled by my form teacher together with other rowdy boys in the class and when I told my mum what happened later, all she said was "Orbi good!" So much so for being a loving mother [laugh]

 

No parents I know raised an eyebrow when their kids got corporal punishment in my days and the common reaction back then was something like well-we-are-busy-earning-a-living-&-good-that-the-school-help-us-to-discipline-the-little-rascal type of response.

 

Well having said that we are in the modern age so the school authorities have to be extremely careful and of course tactful when dealing with parents especially the loud ones. If not later bo tai bo chi kena police report

 

During the latest meet the parents session, our P2 gal's assistant form teacher provided a "feedback" that our princess was very talkative and not paying attention during lesson time.

 

My exact words to her was "We are sorry that she disrupted your lesson and please discipline her on our behalf if she does that again. We will appreciate that. Thank you"

 

Well that's just us.

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...achers-20120926

 

Principals shouldn't be afraid to support their teachers

 

Published on Sep 26, 2012

 

IT IS heartening that the Education Minister has taken a strong public stand against parents who are excessively and unreasonably demanding, and who intercede on behalf of their children over trivial issues of disciplinary and related matters at school ("Standing firm against unreasonable demands"; Sept 13).

 

School principals should follow suit and stand by their teachers when parents demand explanation or redress for disciplining their children.

 

Principals are the mentors, advisers, confidantes and role models to their teaching staff.

 

It is their responsibility to provide the sense of understanding and strong leadership on any issue of parental or societal complaint made against their teachers.

 

During my 40 years in teaching, I have seen principals turning white at the sight of aggressive parents visiting them to complain about teacher misconduct.

 

The standard procedure was to cave in to the complainants' demands for apology even if there were strong extenuating reasons for the teachers' action or inaction.

 

In my view, parental interference was trending up when I retired in 2003.

 

This is not to say there were no principals who stood up for their staff and mollified parents at the same time. One school head, upon receipt of a complaint against his staff for the corporal punishment of a schoolboy, visited the parents the same night, with his vice-principal and the offending teacher in tow.

 

He apologised to the irate parents on the teacher's behalf, offered to pay for the medical fees and also assured them he would ensure there would be no more corporal punishment in the future.

 

His quick and decisive actions, and his powerful plea on behalf of the teacher, convinced the parents to drop their intended court action against the teacher.

 

There was also no hair pulling on the principal's part. He counselled the teacher in private and made a general advisory on the issue at the following teachers' contact time.

 

School principals can do much in the concerted effort to raise teacher-parent cooperation and synergy by playing the role of a resourceful, impartial yet compassionate facilitator.

 

Also, a thorough, objective and calm investigation into any allegations against a teacher would go a long way in empowering our nation builders to discharge their duties and responsibilities with confidence, passion and conviction.

 

Ho Kong Loon

Your stance is a rare one, bro.

[Enye]

I told my son

 

if you kena disciplined by teacher in school

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will go and thank the teacher.

 

[Sosaria]

...

 

...

This is not to say there were no principals who stood up for their staff and mollified parents at the same time. One school head, upon receipt of a complaint against his staff for the corporal punishment of a schoolboy, visited the parents the same night, with his vice-principal and the offending teacher in tow.

...

 

Ouch! And no OVERTIME pay?? I wouldn't go...

[Mazda2gal]

The principals nowadays are more concerned abt their own career progression, fighting hard to get out of hell (school) to rise up to heaven (Moe hq), especially the young promising principals in their 30s. When their appraisal is at stake, do you think they'll stand by the tr? Someone has to die, of course the tr die lah

[Porker]

I will slap and kick my child if I ever have one if he complains that he kena bullied by teacher

[Booboon]

The principals nowadays are more concerned abt their own career progression, fighting hard to get out of hell (school) to rise up to heaven (Moe hq), especially the young promising principals in their 30s. When their appraisal is at stake, do you think they'll stand by the tr? Someone has to die, of course the tr die lah

LIKE

[Raymondism]

I will slap and kick my child if I ever have one if he complains that he kena bullied by teacher

 

 

as long as u do it without kinky thots.. its fine actually

[Raymondism]

I am not exactly a dinosaur in terms of age but it was normal to get canned or whacked by my kampong school teachers those days.

 

Mind you I got my knuckles knocked by a steel rule till they bled by my form teacher together with other rowdy boys in the class and when I told my mum what happened later, all she said was "Orbi good!" So much so for being a loving mother [laugh]

 

No parents I know raised an eyebrow when their kids got corporal punishment in my days and the common reaction back then was something like well-we-are-busy-earning-a-living-&-good-that-the-school-help-us-to-discipline-the-little-rascal type of response.

 

Well having said that we are in the modern age so the school authorities have to be extremely careful and of course tactful when dealing with parents especially the loud ones. If not later bo tai bo chi kena police report

 

During the latest meet the parents session, our P2 gal's assistant form teacher provided a "feedback" that our princess was very talkative and not paying attention during lesson time.

 

My exact words to her was "We are sorry that she disrupted your lesson and please discipline her on our behalf if she does that again. We will appreciate that. Thank you"

 

Well that's just us.

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...achers-20120926

 

Principals shouldn't be afraid to support their teachers

 

Published on Sep 26, 2012

 

IT IS heartening that the Education Minister has taken a strong public stand against parents who are excessively and unreasonably demanding, and who intercede on behalf of their children over trivial issues of disciplinary and related matters at school ("Standing firm against unreasonable demands"; Sept 13).

 

School principals should follow suit and stand by their teachers when parents demand explanation or redress for disciplining their children.

 

Principals are the mentors, advisers, confidantes and role models to their teaching staff.

 

It is their responsibility to provide the sense of understanding and strong leadership on any issue of parental or societal complaint made against their teachers.

 

During my 40 years in teaching, I have seen principals turning white at the sight of aggressive parents visiting them to complain about teacher misconduct.

 

The standard procedure was to cave in to the complainants' demands for apology even if there were strong extenuating reasons for the teachers' action or inaction.

 

In my view, parental interference was trending up when I retired in 2003.

 

This is not to say there were no principals who stood up for their staff and mollified parents at the same time. One school head, upon receipt of a complaint against his staff for the corporal punishment of a schoolboy, visited the parents the same night, with his vice-principal and the offending teacher in tow.

 

He apologised to the irate parents on the teacher's behalf, offered to pay for the medical fees and also assured them he would ensure there would be no more corporal punishment in the future.

 

His quick and decisive actions, and his powerful plea on behalf of the teacher, convinced the parents to drop their intended court action against the teacher.

 

There was also no hair pulling on the principal's part. He counselled the teacher in private and made a general advisory on the issue at the following teachers' contact time.

 

School principals can do much in the concerted effort to raise teacher-parent cooperation and synergy by playing the role of a resourceful, impartial yet compassionate facilitator.

 

Also, a thorough, objective and calm investigation into any allegations against a teacher would go a long way in empowering our nation builders to discharge their duties and responsibilities with confidence, passion and conviction.

 

Ho Kong Loon

 

 

shld black list those parents who dun appreciate... ask them go enroll in private schoool...

 

[Alheych]

police should charge the haircut mother for making false report.

[Ngck]

Everyone here so supportive of the teachers, so who exactly is against the punishment on students???

 

 

[Vulcann]

OT abit.

 

Seems like my childhood and this Ah Gong's were quite alike except the failing PSLE part

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...id-not-20120927

 

Why my grandson needs tuition when I did not

 

DR LEE Wei Ling ("When tuition was optional"; Sunday) questioned whether parents today are more kiasu (afraid to lose) than those of her generation.

 

As the grandfather of a Primary 2 pupil at a prestigious school, I am concerned about my grandson's education, particularly in mathematics.

 

I have looked at past Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) questions released by the Education Ministry and found that the word problems are in plain language that almost all 12-year-olds sitting the exam would be able to understand.

 

However, some of the test questions set by his school require a good command of the English language. He often encounters difficulty in comprehending some of the word problems.

 

Sometimes, I wonder whether the teacher is keener to test his understanding of the language than his mathematical proficiency. This is one reason why I am a kiasu grandpa.

 

It was different when I was schooling at his age. I had a good time playing truant, happily shooting pellets at monkeys in the Botanic Gardens, swimming in the sea and hanging around with equally misbehaving peers. I failed my PSLE and passed it only upon repeating it the following year.

 

I was fortunate that my mum gave me a thrashing after I failed, and woke me up to the importance of schooling. I worked hard from Secondary 3 onwards and won a Colombo Plan scholarship to study engineering abroad.

 

One reason I obtained the scholarship was that competition was less keen then. I am certain I would not stand a chance today.

 

The difference underscores the reason parents have no choice but to hire tutors to help their children.

 

Unlike the situation during my time, our children face competition globally. Parents do not have the luxury of taking any chances when it comes to their children's education.

 

As a grandparent, I often wish my grandsons could be as carefree as I was when I was their age. But they should not be.

 

This is not to say that they do not have a good childhood. They play a lot and have fun too, although education is always the top priority in their parents' minds - and in mine too.

 

I empathise with parents whose children need tuition badly but who cannot afford to pay the fees.

 

If there is a tuition agency or organisation teaching such children at no charge or for a nominal fee, I will gladly offer my free services to help them.

 

Steve Choo

Edited September 27, 2012 by Vulcann

[Littleknown]

OT abit.

 

Seems like my childhood and this Ah Gong's were quite alike except the failing PSLE part

 

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...id-not-20120927

 

Why my grandson needs tuition when I did not

 

 

 

I empathise with parents whose children need tuition badly but who cannot afford to pay the fees.

 

If there is a tuition agency or organisation teaching such children at no charge or for a nominal fee, I will gladly offer my free services to help them.

 

Steve Choo

 

 

Got a lot of volunteer tuition centres around leh. Cheap talk

 

The elitism in this old man's letter really irks me.