Jisin Nyud
SIBU: Teachers are aware of the proper ways to handle naughty students to instil discipline in them, especially on the use of corporal punishment, according to Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) president Jisin Nyud.
The Education Ministry has given circulars to schools on ways to deal with students or pupils in appropriate ways.
Teachers have also been reminded many times by their headmasters or principals to be careful when dealing with students especially on the use of corporal punishment, Jisin noted.
“Even if we take action, at least caning in a proper way can do. This is just a reminder to the pupils so they know the teacher means business.
“It is necessary that we restore discipline into the next generation at an early age. I feel that the fear of the cane is one of the ways to tame these students before it gets worse and out of control. Every teacher wants their students to be leaders of tomorrow,” Jisin told The Borneo Post yesterday. He was reacting to Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan’s recent statement that teachers should not use corporal punishment on their students, even those with serious disciplinary problems.
Kamalanathan reportedly said this should be a core value in teachers, as the old method of punishing through physical means was no longer applicable today. The deputy minister also stressed the importance of counselling.
On this, Jisin said it could not be denied that students changed after counselling sessions.
“However, some do fall back and some, after a few counselling sessions, don’t change. So, what’s next? Many scholars might not be in favour of caning because it seems cruel but the truth is it works in most schools.
“One might think that teachers are not professional enough but once you encounter students who have these kind of attitudes and behaviours, always disrupting lessons everyday then, you understand why teachers act that way.” According to him, teachers get angry because they want the students to do better.
“If the teachers punish the students it is because they want students to reflect and realise that teachers want them to change their attitude and behaviour.
“It is just that teachers have their own target. They want to go above and beyond to ensure each child is successful. They also want to the best for every student,” Jisin assured.