Hey Thai teacher, leave them kids alone!

[Inspire]

Hey Thai teacher, leave them kids alone!

The adapted words from the Pink Floyd single classic “Another Brick in the Wall” have never been more relevant as a spate of assaults by teachers in Thailand have hit the headlines in the last week.

Despite the fact that corporal punishment in schools was outlawed eleven years ago the practice still seems to be endemic in Thai schools. Indeed the practice is still seen as justifiable by many parents and students themselves if recent comments are to be believed. Even school directors have been known to ignore the regulations protecting their staff and institutions at all costs.

And hardly surprising many say when society in general turns a blind eye to violence in the home perpetrated against children by parents and wider family.

But surely it is time not just for the law to be stringently enforced but for society at large to be taken back to school on the issue. It is time for older Thais to be reeducated and “learn” that violence against children – or anyone else for that matter – is unacceptable. Parents can’t just keep saying it happened to them as some kind of quasi justification for the practice. Violence begets violence.

As a father and teacher who has lived and worked in Thailand for over thirty years I am as much appalled by the violence that continues to go on as by the reaction of so many to it. Yes, a younger generation commenting more freely on the social media are speaking up more but deeply engrained attitudes are hard to break down.

Take the two cases in the last week – in the first a high school teacher was caught walloping a female student who had disobeyed rules about wearing trousers on a Tuesday. Leaving aside the absurdity of the regulation (the teenager concerned understandably did not want to show her legs in a classical dance class) it was the reaction to the assault that was particularly revealing.

The student herself apologized. This should not be accepted by adults as anything more than a child who does not want further repercussions and fuss. Students should not need to say sorry for being assaulted behind the school gates – they deserve protection. Yet, no one mentions this – her comments are somehow taken at face value with the teacher justified in his actions because he was only “doing his duty” at keeping the naughty students in line.

The teacher apologized for his actions. Not enough in my book – he should have been sacked and banned and faced charges of assault. The school in allowing him to continue is complicit in the tacit understanding that still exists that violence against children is still alright.

Parents and colleagues online supported the man for being a “good” teacher. It is sickening to see this acceptance. What is good about a so called teacher who can’t explain rules to students – even stupid rules – that ought to be obeyed? Why should they praise someone who cannot rationally and calmly explain something – actually be a teacher.

Full story: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/lifestyle/hey-thai-teacher-leave-kids-alone/

-- Inspire Pattaya 2016-07-03

[NoshowJones]

When I was a teacher, I did see Thai teachers hitting students in grades 3 and 4 in High School, but never in

Prathom schools. One Western teacher at my High School did tell me he was told to hit any student who

misbehaved, though he never did.

[eliotness]

I was raised in the UK in the 50s and 60s. Corporal punishment was the norm. As long as it was used sparingly and with restraint then no harm was done. Abuse happened sure, but was rare. Kids need discipline to learn at school. In the modern world it seems parents are less and less willing to provide that discipline and complain if teachers try to assert some discipline in their classes. Without discipline the education system will falter.

[oxo1947]

There's nothing wrong with the odd "Fatal beating"..............

.

Edited July 3, 2016 by oxo1947

[northernphil]

I was raised in the UK in the 50s and 60s. Corporal punishment was the norm. As long as it was used sparingly and with restraint then no harm was done. Abuse happened sure, but was rare. Kids need discipline to learn at school. In the modern world it seems parents are less and less willing to provide that discipline and complain if teachers try to assert some discipline in their classes. Without discipline the education system will falter.

We must be about the same age , I too attended a private school from '58 - '62 and I probably got the cane 4 or 5 times , the first time on my first day for not being able to eat the revolting food that was placed in front of me , fat , gristle and bullet peas. This was totally wrong but after this I dare say I deserved the cane. But ​it wasn't outlawed , if a teacher is outside the law then he/she should be removed from their position , I do agree that without discipline a teachers lot is not a happy one so what is the answer , you have to get respect but that is earnt not beaten in to. Rant over Sir.,

[georgemandm]

I was raised in the UK in the 50s and 60s. Corporal punishment was the norm. As long as it was used sparingly and with restraint then no harm was done. Abuse happened sure, but was rare. Kids need discipline to learn at school. In the modern world it seems parents are less and less willing to provide that discipline and complain if teachers try to assert some discipline in their classes. Without discipline the education system will falter.

Are you joking, kids don't go to school to be wack by a teacher.

It happened to me at school and to this day I still remember it and it was so wrong to do .

[eliotness]

I was raised in the UK in the 50s and 60s. Corporal punishment was the norm. As long as it was used sparingly and with restraint then no harm was done. Abuse happened sure, but was rare. Kids need discipline to learn at school. In the modern world it seems parents are less and less willing to provide that discipline and complain if teachers try to assert some discipline in their classes. Without discipline the education system will falter.

We must be about the same age , I too attended a private school from '58 - '62 and I probably got the cane 4 or 5 times , the first time on my first day for not being able to eat the revolting food that was placed in front of me , fat , gristle and bullet peas. This was totally wrong but after this I dare say I deserved the cane. But ​it wasn't outlawed , if a teacher is outside the law then he/she should be removed from their position , I do agree that without discipline a teachers lot is not a happy one so what is the answer , you have to get respect but that is earnt not beaten in to. Rant over Sir.,

I agree with you totally, it's all about respect. However how do you teach respect in schools if not supported by the parents ? Girls are so much easier to teach than boys. Girls have an inbuilt desire to learn, but boys are different and need discipline, hopefully without actual physical punishment, but the threat should be enough. Boys will push the boundaries as far as they can and in most cases just the threat is enough. But that threat has to be real, not just bluff.

[eliotness]

I was raised in the UK in the 50s and 60s. Corporal punishment was the norm. As long as it was used sparingly and with restraint then no harm was done. Abuse happened sure, but was rare. Kids need discipline to learn at school. In the modern world it seems parents are less and less willing to provide that discipline and complain if teachers try to assert some discipline in their classes. Without discipline the education system will falter.

Are you joking, kids don't go to school to be wack by a teacher.

It happened to me at school and to this day I still remember it and it was so wrong to do .

Kids should go to school to learn, an essential thing for their future life. Unfortunately there will always be one or two kids in a class that don't care. OK that's their loss, but when they deliberately disrupt a class, effecting the kids that want to learn, then what recourse is there for the teacher ? Detention and/or lines do not seem to be an option in Thailand.

[manfredtillmann]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

[ggt]

This is a no-brainer for a compassionate human being...teachers should never be given unrestricted latitude to mete out corporal punishment...never...especially in a culture that glorifies violence...

Beating on children is an vile practice...no one should lay hands on another person's children without prior approval of the parents...period!

[Yme]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

Total <deleted>. And Australian has a capital A

[callaway]

Surely the website could have found a more appropriate photo to accompany the article. Innocent photo of three cute kids but will have the rock spiders (paedos) foaming at the mouth. Proof reading and checking articles before they go to print would be a good start.

[Johnniey]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

Are you serious? You mean the photo in the OP?

Nothing pornographic whatsoever about it.

[LukKrueng]

I was raised in the UK in the 50s and 60s. Corporal punishment was the norm. As long as it was used sparingly and with restraint then no harm was done. Abuse happened sure, but was rare. Kids need discipline to learn at school. In the modern world it seems parents are less and less willing to provide that discipline and complain if teachers try to assert some discipline in their classes. Without discipline the education system will falter.

Kids have ears and brains. If you can't reason with them, it's probably your own shortcoming. I raised my kids without any physical punishment. When misbehaved - they were reprimanded, and when needed punished as well, but never by raising a hand, and always a punishment that was relevant to what they have done.

[Avrock]

I studied at a boarding school & the teachers as well as the house prefects were allowed to give corporal punishments along with drills..10 years later I have nothing but the highest of regards for them because I was subjected to discipline & values..not for their sake but for the sake of my own good..I see my teachers as father figures who were selflessly devoted & they have a huge impact on my character..on the contrary the friends I had from my hometown some of them are struggling very hard in life..I was shielded by my teachers & I don't agree with the western attitude towards discipline..I personally find many many thai teachers who care for their students going out of their way..sure there are some nasty ones as well who'll take it out on the kids but it happens almost in every part of the world..

[Aussieroaming]

There are plenty of ways to punish a child without hitting them. I never laid a finger on my kids and they are well adjusted, polite and listen when they are told to do something. I don't hit them and I would certainly take exception if a stranger touches them.

[manfredtillmann]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

Are you serious? You mean the photo in the OP?

Nothing pornographic whatsoever about it.

i know, but you can't even take photos of your own children in swimmers in oz anymore without asking for trouble. let alone publish a picture like the own above.

it's a different country over there.

[manfredtillmann]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

Total <deleted>. And Australian has a capital A

as your profanity got deleted it is difficult to make out what you meant to say. and the capital of australia is canberra.

[Johnniey]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

Are you serious? You mean the photo in the OP?

Nothing pornographic whatsoever about it.

i know, but you can't even take photos of your own children in swimmers in oz anymore without asking for trouble. let alone publish a picture like the own above.

it's a different country over there.

So are you saying that you can't take photographs of kids in school uniform? Strange country.

[manfredtillmann]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

Are you serious? You mean the photo in the OP?

Nothing pornographic whatsoever about it.

i know, but you can't even take photos of your own children in swimmers in oz anymore without asking for trouble. let alone publish a picture like the own above.

it's a different country over there.

So are you saying that you can't take photographs of kids in school uniform? Strange country.

yes, it is a strange country sometimes. i work in schools a lot and the length i have to go to of signing in, wearing picture id, not talking to children, walking through groups of children with both my hands on my shoulders, seeking permissions from teachers and clearing areas of children just to take a few photos of the job site are beyond believe. anyway, back to the post...

cheers

[Berty100]

Surely the website could have found a more appropriate photo to accompany the article. Innocent photo of three cute kids but will have the rock spiders (paedos) foaming at the mouth. Proof reading and checking articles before they go to print would be a good start.

Are you competing for PC champion of the world?

[oxo1947]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

Are you serious? You mean the photo in the OP?

Nothing pornographic whatsoever about it.

i know, but you can't even take photos of your own children in swimmers in oz anymore without asking for trouble. let alone publish a picture like the own above.

it's a different country over there.

So are you saying that you can't take photographs of kids in school uniform? Strange country.

It's true......I was in an Oz park last year when a woman came up to me and said, "Are you taking photos of my daughter on your iPhone?"--"Yes I'm taking photos of her," I replied, "But it's not what you think."

"So what is it then?" she asked.

I said, "A Samsung Galaxy."............................................................

Edited July 4, 2016 by oxo1947

[benalibina]

Fear is instilled from birth. Many thais think its the school where kids should learn norms and values. No wonder as many parents dont pass the mental age of 12.

Mai pen rai though. Bless them all.

[The Deerhunter]

I was raised in the UK in the 50s and 60s. Corporal punishment was the norm. As long as it was used sparingly and with restraint then no harm was done. Abuse happened sure, but was rare. Kids need discipline to learn at school. In the modern world it seems parents are less and less willing to provide that discipline and complain if teachers try to assert some discipline in their classes. Without discipline the education system will falter.

And you were all belted around the head like they do here?????? I don't think so. Times have changed but belting kids in the head has NEVER been OK! Don't try to justify it. Violence begets violence and it has been illegal here for eleven years, whether you personally agree with it or not. Don't try to make excuses for it! You cannot succeed. Law is law!!

Edited July 5, 2016 by The Deerhunter

[The Deerhunter]

I was raised in the UK in the 50s and 60s. Corporal punishment was the norm. As long as it was used sparingly and with restraint then no harm was done. Abuse happened sure, but was rare. Kids need discipline to learn at school. In the modern world it seems parents are less and less willing to provide that discipline and complain if teachers try to assert some discipline in their classes. Without discipline the education system will falter.

Are you joking, kids don't go to school to be wack by a teacher.

It happened to me at school and to this day I still remember it and it was so wrong to do .

Kids should go to school to learn, an essential thing for their future life. Unfortunately there will always be one or two kids in a class that don't care. OK that's their loss, but when they deliberately disrupt a class, effecting the kids that want to learn, then what recourse is there for the teacher ? Detention and/or lines do not seem to be an option in Thailand.

So make it an option, enforceable by suspension or in extreme cases expulsion! Disruptive kids cannot be allowed to ruin the education of kids who want to learn.

[The Deerhunter]

if someone had posted this photo on an australian web site, s/he' d be in for child porn charges. lucky we live in thailand...

I thought the same thing. And many other countries. It is actually an innocent picture, but.................. camera angle could have been more appropriately chosen and it would help if the editor was not obviously asleep.