What you need to accomplish your academic goals is discipline. The main players in any academic situation are students, teachers and parents, however, primary responsibility regarding good discipline lies with students; they should adhere to school rules and regulations. Usually, there’re some students who always misbehave in class, and this gets everyone in trouble. The entire class gets punished because the teacher is unable to identify which students are in the wrong.

As a counsellor, I do not approve of punishing the whole class for the faults of one person or group of people. To be fair, only the student(s) responsible must be punished with the aim of helping them become better. Such punishments must not include corporal punishment, as that could only worsen a student’s behaviour and/or cause childhood or teenage trauma.

The first thing to do is to approach your teacher and express your concerns regarding collective punishment in the classroom, and ask him/her what you can do to keep out of trouble.  Your approach may work as an eye-opener for your teacher to be able to separate you and other innocent classmates from wrongdoers. While discussing with your teacher, try to be positive, respectful and non-judgmental, and show your determination towards greater academic success.

Teachers normally like students who are disciplined and take their studies seriously. They’ll be more likely to help you if they know that you are a hard worker and that you pay attention and respect them in and out of class. Studies show that students who have a strong sense of discipline often perform better than their peers, and are less likely to have behavioural problems in school, hence, a more promising future.

Teachers should assign leadership roles for students during class, such that they will identify and report the wrongdoers to whom the punishments should be directed.

Make this suggestion to your teacher so that you and other well-behaved students are assigned classroom leadership roles, and work towards exposing the wrongdoers.  I wish you all the best in your studies.

Their thoughts...

Janet Nshemire, university student Bullies should not be tolerated; speaking out will not only keep you out of trouble, it will make the school a better place for other students. Reach out to your teachers and tell them what’s going on in your class. They will help you deal with it without making you look like a snitch. ---

Davis Birungi, university student You are a mature student, you don’t have to be punished for other people’s bad actions. It doesn’t matter whether they like you or not, just do the right thing. You can’t live in fear of your fellow students. Report them to school authorities and their group will be disconnected.

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Ange Umugwaneza, university student Many schools have bullies; the solution is to inform school leaders as they will handle the problem. Talk to prefects about that particular group in your class and ask them to handle the issue accordingly. Prefects have the obligation to report bad behaviour of other students. ---

Patrick Muhizi, university student They are many ways to address the misconduct of your fellow students without getting yourself in trouble. Write an anonymous letter to the school administration and explain the problem in your class including the group involved. You can put the letter in the school suggestion box. Speak out.