A reflection on discipline and perspective

Crime and Punishment are perennial, vexed, debatable matters that can apply to be applied to the current controversy on the appropriateness of corporal punishment by schoolteachers.

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Much publicity has recently been generated by an alleged corporal punishment by a teacher in Royal College. In the midst of all this, we must also consider the ripple effect such public scrutiny may have on other teachers. Many might now hesitate to correct or discipline a student out of fear of being misunderstood or publicly shamed.

A possible likely outcome is that a growing number of teachers may simply choose to limit themselves to merely textbook teaching – doing only what is required of them and nothing more. If most teachers take a step back, fearing a backlash, what happens to discipline? What happens to the values, the life lessons and the personal growth that come from being held accountable? We risk creating a system where young students grow up without boundaries, without guidance, and ultimately without the character than true education is meant to build.

The Royal matter