They look nice, maybe useful even, but who needs them in February?  Well, it did not take me too long to admit that one of those people is me. I quickly got one from the shelf and headed for the counter, not even waiting for my wife who was busy checking her list for groceries.

Of course there are plenty of softwares and templates for diary planners available online and I have been using one for my work. They can be very convenient to use and by keyword search you can recover all the data the managing director wants on any transaction if you use them religiously.  However, something in me still want to have a diary planner  filled up in paper rather than behind the computer screen.

Looking at the new planner, I feel a bit of excitement at rediscovering the pleasure of having a written diary planner. I imagine waking up in another year and then looking at a religiously filled planner  with pages yellowing with time. In it, written would be goals, plans, hopes, worries and anticipations of the future that will have already  passed. Perhaps, I will have a clear accounting of all memories pleasant and otherwise. Perhaps, I will have a better perspective of what went well and what did not based on the goals, what was done day in and day out leading to the deadline.  Perhaps, with the contents of the planner, I can reevaluate the skill sets necessary to take things further, to get over the hump.

“Twenty dirhams”, I heard the cashier say. I was awakened from the trance and handed her the exact notes. At the same time, I realized that I was in that sort of trance for many years in my life—–daydreaming, recalling, romanticizing until somebody calls you out for something that has already become urgent. And that could not happen if you use a diary planner well. For, more than anything, a well-filled diary planner is a written testament to one’s discipline, one’s commitment to see any goal through, to keep with the present. Romanticizing about the passage of time could come later.

How happy we started with women’s liberation or equality for women to be given her chance to perform, because only once we trained them for housework (now none). I say we really overcome, but some professionals involved in both earning good salaries and husbands jealous and envious, he left all the burden on women. They became the house and looked irresponsible men or young to see how many lines I put my machismo to the extent of the bride ask “how much you make?”.  To see if their economies were to increase or decrease. I must say that women also see their mothers by household, excellent battered housewives and some irresponsible became preferred to be in their workplaces and the famous “sexual harassment”, and several have fallen cuerpomático (pay with the body) solve or justify their income , on vacation get bored at home and housework more fortunately when they have chances of getting hired, or if you are fortunate to have a mom, aunt or grandmother to care for their kids and make food and chores, much better.
The worst thing is that we do not have time to live with the couple, much less play or talk with their children because they buy to placate them what they ask and leave education to the servants or nurseries.
Everything well organized to enjoy the true home with the help of God, you can, if you will allow time for the husband, children and work. Unfortunately many, not all make use of the handcuffs and they spend at home. They acquire services or open an account in which only they have access.  Another joint, with a little to spare, for women to contribute more.
That is reality and there are few who want to marry as a real home, married, which means house of two, who will begin their married life with the love of his life, partner, girlfriend, friend and loving every sexual experience is different and not one gets bored, watch out, when there is love.
There are many women who are mom, dad and mothers, who get their children to go forward with love and discipline. I admire them because they sacrifice as parents abandoned their children are involved. So there are deobligation both men and women who work.
I am a teacher, God led me and lit to meet and be responsible, not perfect, because as fathers or mothers, always fail at something, especially if you got a sick child, as all attention focused on him and the other children suffer from lack of love.
Let us ask God for wisdom in order to meet our various roles in life and instill the love and fear God, because what we sow, reap, living surrounded by care and love if the home environment avoid lawsuits, lack of love for children, parents, spouses and grandparents

I call her Mademoiselle because she was the epitome of dignity and poise. She was quite big for an average cow, with large brown and white patches all over her body, and an exceptionally long tail. It was so long that it almost touched the ground and had a bunch of lush dark brown hairs, attached to its end. The hairs looked shiny as if freshly shampooed. I couldn’t gather how she managed that. When she walked, her long tail swayed gracefully from side to side and one couldn’t help admiring her back side. Don’t judge me, for I am but an animal lover…and of course, no pun is intended here.

I first saw her when taking a shortcut to the office. The main roads are unbelievably clogged with traffic during the morning rush hours. I tried a diversion by a narrow road that passed through a market area called Neelasandra. The road was not more than 10-12 feet wide, with a fair amount of that captured by push carts (selling various contraptions and goodies) being pushed or stationed too close to the roads, wrongly parked two, three and four wheelers, dogs, cats, a good number of Homo Sapiens in the form of school children, ladies in nighties (a nightwear resembling a nun’s robe except for the latter’s snug fit), cyclists criss crossing for no logical reasons and of course, the cows. The last category was the most undisciplined, using the road for extremely selfish and other reasons. While a cat or a dog would think twice before crossing such a busy road, cows would relax, adamantly sitting right across it, peacefully chewing their respective cuds. I have a hunch that they know their privileged status in India and take great advantage of that fact. They would either look at you with a mocking smile or ignore your angry stare with their nose high up in the air. If you happen to stare long enough, they dismiss you with a quick sideways movement of their necks.Madam Cow was however refreshingly different from her brethren in Neelasandra. She was a lot bigger than most and as if understanding her ‘difference’, was never seen in company. When I first saw her on the market road, she was walking in the same direction that I was driving, and I had a good view of her behaviour. She was walking well clear of the road and moving away every time she saw an approaching vehicle. I was amazed by her good road discipline, even if not as much as her charming rear.  There was a right turn, around 200m on this mad road, after which one could hit a much wider road with a drastic change in scenery…..a canal on one side and a residential layout on the other.  

 While coming back, I decided to take the same road. After that day, I regularly took this diversion, as I much preferred this messy market madness to the madness of incessantly blaring horns and rash undisciplined driving of fellow passengers. Besides, this was only a 200m stretch, and the rest of the route was amazingly free of traffic. I must admit here though, that I enjoyed this crazy stretch than the traffic free remainder of the route. I saw Madam Cow regularly on the market road in the mornings and on the wider road in the evenings. We seemed to share our office hours and the direction of travel so much so that I wouldn’t have recognised her if I ever came face to face with her. I could recognise only her rear. Interestingly, on the wider road, she walked right on the centre line unperturbed by traffic zipping on either side. She perhaps liked to continue walking straight, without having to change course time and again, as was the case when she was on the market road. She seemed aware that she could do that as the road was wider and the traffic moving in either direction would not be affected. As soon as she reached the market road, she would promptly move to the right side of the road.

Then one day, I did not see her. This was very unusual and I experienced acute overall discomfort. I was used to seeing her every morning and her sight always provided me a strange peace of mind. Her sudden absence filled me with a sense of foreboding. I looked for her desperately, without luck. I spent the day with a heavy heart and by evening, was full of anticipation. I started a little early and reached our general area of rendezvous, with lot of hope. I cannot express my disappointment when I failed to see her. A great sadness descended on me. I was irritable in the office and at home that day. I somehow felt cheated.

I did not see her the next day, and the days after. Every day hope and disappointment engulfed me in that order in the morning and evening for the next 12 days. On the 13th day, with a hugely deflated hope, I reached the market road. I wasn’t really expecting to see her but I suddenly spotted her on the right side of the road (where else!). She looked much smaller than before but her large brown and white patches and the long tail gave her away. Besides, I could recognise her in the most crowded of places, with that unmistakable, beautiful gait. My heart leapt with joy at her sight and the joy almost doubled (if that was possible!), when I saw a tiny replica, quietly following her with equal dignity, discipline, poise and that exceptionally long tail. I welcomed, with all my heart, the disciplined ‘generation next’ of Madam Cow.

Now, saying that, I do believe that corporal punishment is an extremely valuable tool in our toolbox of discipline and child rearing. It’s not our only tool. We use time-outs and groundings from time to time but we do use spanking frequently.

There are many situations where I think spanking can be invaluable. When a child is throwing a fit, they are no longer in a position to reason rationally. Nothing brings a child out of a tantrum faster than a stern “no” and a controlled spanking. Other situations are times of extreme danger. We are all familiar with the slap on the fingers to stop a child from burning themselves in fire. There is no time to explain but a quick solution needs to be administered. Defiance is absolutely never tolerated in our home. When a child looks you straight in the face and says, “NO!” That in our home is a spanking offense.

Whenever a child is disciplined and this is for spanking, time-outs, or groundings, it’s extremely important for a parent to be in control, to be consistent, and to explain why the child is being disciplined. In our household, we generally take our child into the bathroom where we explain what they have done, we spank them (or decide on another form of discipline), when we are convinced that the child is truly repentant, we have them ask for forgiveness and then we give them a big hug and affirm our love for them. We also explain that our love is unconditional and not based upon their repentance. Then it’s done and we move on as if it never took place.

Some might still try to convince me that spanking is wrong, and to them I would explain that we believe first and foremost that spanking is a biblical principle. Many have probably heard the proverb from scripture that says, “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” Now as a fairly conservative Christian, I believe wholeheartedly that this proverb is truth from God. Who better to get parental advice from then God himself. If the law ever makes spanking illegal, I’ll have to decide whether I disobey the law in order to do what is best for my children.

It’s not just some religious concept either though; I have seen the results of spanking in my house. Our children rarely throw fits, they are energetic and happy children but for the most part they quickly hear us and respect us and obey us. I see parents who never spank their kids and the disrespect that those children get away with and I have to give a sigh of relief. As hard as it is to be a consistent, loving, disciplinarian, it is far harder to be a parent of an undisciplined child.

The sayings above are very true for example an iron which has cold down cannot do much for strengthening our clothes. The same thing goes for a person who has not been taught disciplined from a young age. Once a person grows older, it is too late to teach him or her manners and self-control. He or she will not be able to survive in this harsh world. That is why the lack of discipline in school nowadays is at alarming rate and should be a main concern for everybody. Some may call it disruptive behavior while other labels it as disobedience. Nonetheless, both of the words refer to indiscipline in school. In order to ensure that a person will be a useful person in life, it is important to instill discipline in him or her from a very young age. Two main problems that will be discussed are gangsterism and vandalism that can be commonly found in the four schools that we were sent to do our practicum. Next, this essay will talk about the main causes for indiscipline problems which are the school administration and also the family background that have largely contribute to the indiscipline is school. Lastly, we have picked two solutions that we think can help to reduce the problems in school which are care from the teachers and for the teachers to exercise more power in order to maintain the level of discipline in school. 

Indiscipline or lack of discipline is common among students in school. However, even the slightest mistakes or misbehaviour can contribute into more serious epidemic if it’s not corrected over time. What are the indiscipline problems in school? There are many examples of indiscipline, including disrespectful behaviour towards teachers and other students and gangsterism.

            Disrespectful behaviours are always happening in most schools. The term ‘disrespect’ itself concerns with lack of respect or courtesy. Disrespect can be seen through language and attitude. As for language disrespect, students displayed their verbal disrespect through using foul or vulgar language towards others. Through my 3-months of teaching experience, I have encountered some occasions where I heard the students mocking at my teaching. There was also a time when my fellow trainee friend was called as ‘babi’ or ‘pig’ to show their sign of disapproval on the teacher’s acts. This kind of disrespect happens mostly because there are differences between the teacher’s desires and theirs. Not only the disrespectful behaviours were exhibited verbally to teachers, they even get worse among the students themselves. When talking to their friends, the foul language use is more noticeable through labelling or name-calling others. For instance, they tend to call their fat friends as ‘dinosaurs’ or ‘hippos’. Sometimes, the little ones will be called as ‘pendek’ or Shorty. Things get more serious when they call and scorn each other’s fathers’ names. On the other hand, the disrespectful behaviours are also demonstrated by the students non-verbally such as ignoring teachers’ instructions, wandering during the class time without teachers’ permission, not finishing the homework given, and making noises while teachers are talking, etc. In the days of practicum, I never missed any of these indiscipline manners among those examples of indiscipline manners among the students. There was once when I asked the students to submit the writing task, there are several students who ignored me and never submitted those works. I have been patient for long until one day I couldn’t take it anymore. Therefore, I went to see them and tried to find the reasons of their misbehaving. After talking with him personally, he finally agreed to do and submit the homework after all warnings and lame excuses rejected by me. Thus, being strict and understanding at the same time teaches me to handle indiscipline problems better than before.

            Gangsterism is common in developing countries, including Malaysia. We as educators should not take it for granted as if it’s nothing to do with us. Gangsterism involvement among the schoolchildren is also reported to be increasing. Some people said that the students should be nurtured with love and respect so that they will not get themselves involved in gang at school. In the school where I teach as trainee teacher, I have seen a few incidents on gangsterism among students as early as the age 13 years old. I was teaching Form 1 students at that time. While I was at class teaching 1 Fasih’s class, suddenly I heard a loud banging noise; somewhat a sound of breaking glass and it came from the corner near the class I was teaching. Once I went out to see what’s going on, I saw a large group of Form 1 male students running away and the glasses shattered in pieces all over the floor. I also saw some students wounded with blood stain all over their school uniform. It was obvious that they were having fight just then. I tried to investigate the case myself by questioning the students and I found out that the fight was between the Form 1 Malay male students and Form 2 male Indian students. I didn’t know what the cause was, but I definitely know these people are involved in gangsterism.

            Therefore, disrespectful behaviour and gangsterism are some of crucial issues of indiscipline in school nowadays that need to be dealt with immediately.

Students’ indiscipline behaviours could be due to two kinds of factors which are the internal factors and external factors. Internal factors can be classified as factors that exist within the school itself. On the other hand, the external factors can be classified as the factors that influence the students indisciplined behaviours from outside of the school environment.

We found out that the most obvious internal factor of indiscipline among the students is that it is due to lack of law enforcement by the disciplinary teachers or the school. The students usually get canned for most of the offenses aside from getting suspended by for major offenses like spitting at the teachers. This kind of punishment is not effective enough to inculcate discipline among the students though it is quite practical as it commonly seen in the school nowadays. Some students may like to get suspended as they don’t have to go to school thus encourages them to misbehave. Apart from that, some of the teachers do not possess examplary attitudes or the demeanour of a good teacher that could be copied by the students in inculcating good behaviours. For example there are some of the teachers come late to the school and didn’t stop and stand still when the ‘Negaraku’ is played. When the students see this, they may think it is all right to come late to school as there is no disciplinary action is taken on the teachers who come late to school.  

Looking at the external factors of indiscipline among the students, the most obvious factor is that some of the parents tend to dote on their children that caused their children to be too indulged and feel superior than their teachers at the schools which caused then to be quite rude to their teachers and ignore the instruction and advice given by the teachers. For example, there are cases where students scolded the teachers when the teachers try to correct them. Apart from that, another obvious external factor that contributes to the discipline problems among the students is that they believe too much on what they watch through the media. For instance, movies that contain violence normally inspire students to become bullies. The students may imitate the violent actions and test them on weaker students at the school. This is also a way for them to get the attention from the peers and teachers.

Indiscipline has a very bad effect upon everyone especially the students. Thus, ways and means must be found to put an end to this sorry state of affair. One approach that can be used is by strengthening the teachers-students relationship.  Kohn (1996) says, “Children are more likely to be respectful when important adults in their lives respect them”. The teachers need to show that they care for the students and when students feel that the teacher value and care for them as individuals, they are more willing to follow the teacher’s instructions. Marzano (2003), states that students will resist rules and procedures along with the consequent disciplinary actions if we are lack with the foundation of a good relationship. This shows that it is essential for the teacher to have a strong and positive relationship with the students.

The deterioration of discipline also can be prevented by giving the teachers more power to exercise in order to maintain the level of discipline in school. The parents should not interfere with the school administration in order to avoid the conflict of power. The teacher is the rightful person to hold the power of a classroom. We should have realized that the students, when they are in their circle of friend are very much different when they are at home. They will undoubtedly personify different characters in different settings. Therefore parents should always trust in teachers who see students as who they really are in school. However, the power given should be under the supervision of the ministry to avoid misuse of power. 

Most importantly all quarters should play a role in tackling student indiscipline and before it becomes an epidemic. Parents and schools need to share the responsibility of promoting values and standards which we hope will help the younger generation to ensure that they will be living in a morally right behaviour. It is important that parents work in-cooperate with their child’s school, and not just leave the school alone in the dark. Discipline problems can be dealt with much more effectively if both parties could share the similar and ideal vision. But, remedies or no remedies, indiscipline will always continue in some form. This lies in the very nature of human beings. Maybe this time around we need to stand firm on the ways to tackle indiscipline to actually see the result that we want. 

            Indiscipline or lack of discipline is common among students in school. However, even the slightest mistakes or misbehavior can contribute into more serious epidemic if it’s not corrected over time. What are the indiscipline problems in school? There are many examples of indiscipline, including disrespectful behavior towards teachers and other students and gangsterism.

            Disrespectful behaviors are always happening in most schools. The term ‘disrespect’ itself concerns with lack of respect or courtesy. Disrespect can be seen through language and attitude. As for language disrespect, students displayed their verbal disrespect through using foul or vulgar language towards others. Through my 3-months of teaching experience, I have encountered some occasions where I heard the students mocking at my teaching. There was also a time when my fellow trainee friend was called as ‘babi’ or ‘pig’ to show their sign of disapproval on the teacher’s acts. This kind of disrespect happens mostly because there are differences between the teacher’s desires and theirs. Not only the disrespectful behaviors were exhibited verbally to teachers, they even get worse among the students themselves. When talking to their friends, the foul language use is more noticeable through labeling or name-calling others. For instance, they tend to call their fat friends as ‘dinosaurs’ or ‘hippos’. Sometimes, the little ones will be called as ‘pendek’. Things get more serious when they call and scorn each other’s fathers’ names. On the other hand, the disrespectful behaviors are also demonstrated by the students non-verbally such as ignoring teachers’ instructions, wandering during the class time without teachers’ permission, not finishing the homework given, making noises while teachers are talking, etc. In the days of practicum, I never missed any of these indiscipline manners among those examples of indiscipline manners among the students. There was once when I asked the students to submit the writing task, there are several students who ignored me and never submitted those works. I have been patient for long until one day I couldn’t take it anymore. Therefore, I went to see them and tried to find the reasons of their misbehaving. After talking with him personally, he finally agreed to do and submit the homework after all warnings and lame excuses rejected by me. Thus, being strict and understanding at the same time teaches me to handle indiscipline problems better than before.

            Gangsterism is common in developing countries, including Malaysia. We as educators should not take it for granted as if it’s nothing to do with us. Gangsterism involvement among the schoolchildren is also reported to be increasing. Some people said that the students should be nurtured with love and respect so that they will not get themselves involved in gang at school. In the school where I teach as trainee teacher, I have seen a few incidents on gangsterism among students as early as the age of 13 years old. I was teaching Form 1 students at that time. While I was at class teaching 1 Fasih’s class, suddenly I heard a loud banging noise; somewhat a sound of breaking glass and it came from the corner near the class I was teaching. Once I went out to see what’s going on, I saw a large group of Form 1 male students running away and the glasses shattered in pieces all over the floor. I also saw some students wounded with blood stain all over their school uniform. It was obvious that they were having fight just then. I tried to investigate the case myself by questioning the students and I found out that the fight was between the Form 1 Malay male students and Form 2 male Indian students. I didn’t know what the cause was, but I definitely know these people are involved in gangsterism.

            Therefore, disrespectful behavior and gangsterism are some of crucial issues of indiscipline in school nowadays that need to be dealt with immediately.

Bibliography

Gangsterism. (2006, March 11). Retrieved September 27, 2010, from The Star Online: http://thestar.com.my/fightcrime/resources/story.asp?file=/2006/3/11/resources/20060316164127&sec=resources

Yin, S. (2010, July 2). Let’s unite and fight gangsterism. Retrieved September 27, 2010, from The Star Online: http://thestar.com.my/fightcrime/resources/story.asp?file=/2006/3/11/resources/20060316164127&sec=resources

A name that is more often used is Lee Canter when associating with management of a classroom.  In the 70’s Canter and wife, Marlene designed a program introducing it across the U.S.  Many teachers pledge by its methods.  These methods include the identification of 3 to 4 rules for the classroom and positive and negative penalty for breaking or following the rules.  Particular consequence are laid out and given to the teacher along with a particular action that’s required for each level:  spoken warning, physical concurrence and at last.  Remaining consistence in the method is strictly advised.

Thomas Gordon developed a method for management in the classroom in the 70’s also, but yields a very different approach from the Canter’s method.  The doctrine of his program teaches that students and teachers are equal and that rules for classrooms are detrimental to functioning in a classroom setting.  It teaches that students and teachers should focus on teamwork to resolve problems within the classroom.  He coined his approach as “group-centered leadership.”

Dr. Fred Jones developed “Tools for Teaching” program which emphasis another approach to management in the classroom.  Positive Classroom Discipline, a book written by Dr. Jones is often attested to when teachers are speaking about strategies for the classroom management.  The base of this program involves such quotes as “calm is strong, upset is weak, “body language means business” and backtalk and consistency. Fundamentally, Jones adopts the idea that if a teacher becomes emotionally compromised in an encounter with the student then the teacher has already lost and only a consistent consequence with tranquil will save the day.

Classroom management requires establishing measures and techniques to establish an environment beneficial to knowledge. An effectual classroom is one that is managed well. Managing a classroom is not equivalent regulation. Management of a classroom coordinates the classroom and commissions students to learn. Teachers positioning classroom organization skills promote positive outlook. When a classroom is managed well, students are more inclined to be self-disciplined and teachers are tranquil.

Expectations are apparent in an efficient classroom. Class rules give students an understandable vision of what is expected as well as assignments that are to be obtainable in class.  Ambitions serve two functions: to allocate and to measure. Objectives should be written on the chalkboard at the start of each class. Objectives supposed to start with a verb and give details as to what students must carry out and conquer. By beginning with a verb, students what is expected of them and what is necessary to complete tasks.

Classrooms should be an area where students are comfortable inquiring about learning.  They should be enthusiastic in a stress free environment.  Teachers should be capable of gaining and keeping their attention easily.  A student is guided to learn and is capable to work to the highest of their aptitude.  Successful teachers differentiate education to maximize learning and participation.

Horace says, “Right discipline strengthens the heart.” This question throws light on the importance of discipline in life. Discipline means obedience to a set of rules framed by an individual or society. These rules and obedience to them are necessary for orderly existence on earth. Both our mind and body need discipline. Life, whether individual or social, depends upon discipline.

Discipline must be enforced early in life. Discipline at home makes the future greatness of a body. It forms his character, and makes him a fit citizen. It teaches him to get up early and attend his lessons properly. It also teaches him to take physical exercise and avoid bad things. A disciplined child will be regular, punctual and well-behaved. He will grow up to be a useful member of society. His later life will be governed by the early habits.

Discipline is important in every walk of life. In the army, for instance everyone has to pass through very strict discipline. If a general does not obey orders, there is an end of discipline. The army cannot do its work. A small police or a military force can control a mob of thousands. The reasons are that a mob is never disciplined. People in a mob cannot act untidily.

In civil affairs as well, discipline is of much value. The government controls the whole country with the help of a small number of disciplined men. From the President and Prime Minister down to the village chokier, all obey orders and follow instructions. If the government servants cease to obey orders, the result is chaos. Similarly in a family, the members should obey its head. So with discipline, there can be no peace and order in a society.

The universe of God is also ruled by discipline. Seasons follow a particular order. Days and nights follow each others. Planets move in their particular orbit. In short, we fine system and order in every thing created by God.

As lack of discipline is harmful, too much discipline crushes creativity. In human affairs, too much rigidity provokes rebellion. So in following discipline in human affairs, we should be a bit flexible and liberal.

Not that they were aloof or unfriendly at all, in fact the local bobby on the beat was welcomed by most ordinary people, usually friendly and talkative, and always ready to give out help and advice, though if you caught doing something wrong, no parent would object to your getting a clip round the ear, and you half-expected it. I remember clearly being marched home in 1959, my right earlobe firmly gripped in the meaty hand of a policeman.

My transgression had been the cardinal sin of riding my bike without a rear light in the dark – the magistrate fined my father the equivalent of 25p today – meaning I got no pocket money for a month, but worse than that was the shame of being a marked boy by the local constabulary.  This scenario is not THAT long ago, but looking at the modern day society, it could have taken place on another planet.

I wish, truly, that I understood the sense in that political correctness of the past fifty years, which has removed from adults the power to physically chastise children, and given r=birth to the generations of young people who feel disenfranchised and powerless to do other than express their frustration in the most destructive ways.  The horrifying thing about the recent riots was just how easily otherwise law-abiding people got sucked into the orgy of  violence and theft.

The police were not able to handle or control the situation simply because the new passion for social networking enabled anarchic individuals to whip up droves of followers in no time at all, out-thinking and out-manoeuvring the forces of law and order with astonishing ease. Why? Because successive governments have pandered to the idea that it is unnatural to smack the offspring, that discipline can be enforced in other ways from an early age, but they were wrong, and now the pot is simmering.

Scientists talk about the dangers of volcanic eruption, but even such natural violence pales in comparison to the brutish face of angry humanity, when all semblance of civilized behaviour has been stripped away. We got a bitter taste of that horror at riot time, and it would not take much for it to happen again, because the underlying problems will take years to solve, if they ever truly can be.

Watch a wolf mother, or a lioness with their young, and  note that these cubs learn through painful punishment just what they can and cannot do.  This is the way of the natural world, because it is the most effective method of rearing cubs that stand a chance of survival. Why should we, the top predatory creature of the food chain be any different?  People of my generation grew up knowing that doing wrong and getting caught meant paying a painful price.

Did we turn into anarchic, violent, riotous adults? Hardly, the exact opposite in tact, because by the time we reached puberty, we knew what the boundaries were, and what it would cost to cross them, but that aspect of social education has been denied to a whole generation, and look where we are today.  There are no more bobbies on the local beat, to strike fear into young hearts, no more threats of canings by headmasters, or physical punishments of any kind.

By the time children reach secondary school, in this age of unrestricted information technology, the kids know that they are bulletproof, and that they only risk so-called punishment for the worst offences, and then only if they get caught.  This country has, perhaps unconsciously, bred an entire generation of youngsters with no respect for authority of any kind, and until steps are taken to redress the balance back towards that authority which has become so reviled, the situation can only get worse.

Reading the various items of news and watching videos is so alarming, Kids proud of having torched a police car, youths bragging how their street cred in the wake of their riot activities. Embattled police forces, being squeezed by austerity measures, are more and more accused of treating some sections of the young less fairly, of being too heavy-handed in trying to restrain those causing the trouble, but where exactly should the line be drawn?

In these financially troubled times, the global recession is biting the poor very hard indeed, while the better off seem unaffected. The gulf between the financial classes widens by the day, and further riots seem inevitable, just because those in power can do nothing to change the hopelessness of the unemployment and other troubles besetting the distressed youth of the country.

 I suspect that, without divine intervention or a complete turn-around in government policy and tactics, the riots that seemed so shocking in the summer just gone  will seem trivial in comparison to the troubles brewing so menacingly just below the very thin veneer of what we call civilization. There have to be targets for a lifetime of frustration and bitterness, when people start to feel that hope is a redundant word, and maybe just like global warming, this is one catastrophe we simply cannot avoid anymore, no matter how hard we might supposedly try.

The age of education has certainly changed over the years, and there is plenty to be said about that. Some parents, bloggers, media mongers, and students themselves have made their specific cases of stereotyping, favoritism, violence, or bias into national headlines.

So how has this changed teachers? Instead of trusting the word of a teacher, public officials and parents are challenging assessments and discipline strategies. Having said that, there are certainly some cases where the teacher was the guilty party. But when it comes down to it, fear of losing their job or their status as a respected member of the school community forces teachers to throw in the towel.

What exactly does that mean? Certain personalities require wit, humor, or sarcasm to get their point across. Schools have becomes more sensitive, and rightfully so, to cultural varieties and stigmas. Instead of strict discipline and accountability, teachers hand in their personality cards. The basic idea is that in order for students to have respect for teachers, they need to like them. Really? Yes. Really.

Through personal experiences, I’ve seen teachers who aggressively strive to gain the respect and trust of students. Inevitably, there is that one teacher who falls into the category of trying to be “friends” with the student. The point is, teachers need to find the happy medium…we cannot dictate and we cannot befriend…we can only try to get to know our students and respect the rules of education.