Children should be disciplined in schools

By Ilia L. Likou 12 July 2017, 12:00AM

The discipline of kids is the structure that helps the child fit into the real world happily and effectively. 

If we don’t discipline them well, we won’t guarantee their good futures. 

Meet Mr Tekoli a teacher at Pata, Falelatai Primary School. 

“Ever since the new policies came in that children are not allowed to be punished I’ve seen so much bad behaviour by our kids in school,” he said. 

“They over-react knowing they are not going to get punished and they are encouraged to do the wrong thing over and over again.” 

“That’s the problem right now in schools and I blame the policy against disciplining kids.” 

He said having the right to punish kids for their wrong mistakes is the foundation for the development of the child’s own self-discipline. 

“Disciplining children is one of the most important yet difficult responsibilities of parenting and teachers, and there are no shortcuts,” he said. 

“We must stress that teaching about limits and acceptable behaviour takes time and a great deal of energy.” 

“Today’s society can be an obstacle to effective discipline that is why we need to have the right to punish the kids; I mean we don’t punish them in the way they will end up in the hospitals. We teachers, we know how to deal with the kids. 

“Effective and positive discipline is about teaching and guiding children, not just forcing them to obey.” 

“Trust between us and a child should be maintained and constantly built upon.”

“The goal of effective discipline of having the right to discipline is to further acceptable and appropriate behaviour in the child and to raise them well.” 

He added, “Where I’m teaching at Pata, Falelatai, we only have four teachers and two volunteers who are helping us.” 

“It’s very hard work for us because the school has more than 70 kids for six people.”

That is why I’m saying it’s very hard with the policy we have right now that the kids shouldn’t be punished. 

“We totally understand harsh discipline such as humiliation (verbal abuse, shouting,) will make it hard for the child to respect and trust us, that is why we are well aware of that issue.” 

“The most important goal for us, is to protect the child from danger, help the child learn self-discipline, and develop a healthy conscience and an internal sense of responsibility and control.”

By Ilia L. Likou 12 July 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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