It is possible to discipline students without flogging them

Editor,I was very interested in the article, “Discipline: Have we let our guard down?” which was published in the Education Magazine of The New Times edition of July 10. I am a teacher in an American High School (ages 14 to 18 years old). I have more than 30 years of experience and all I can tell you is that we do not beat our students.I have some advices that I think would be helpful to teachers and parents in Rwanda. How does one “make” a student do school work and behave well in class? First, we the teachers should treat students with respect and in turn expects the same from them.Secondly, I have come to the conclusion that a teacher cannot always be responsible for the laziness and disinterest of a student. It is, however, important to foster a learning environment in the classroom so those who distract should be removed...Parents are not always supportive, and this is a problem. I teach Debate and surely this would be a great topic. Our students would be horrified that they could face corporal punishment while at school. Most of us are taught to discipline in ways that instruct and not “destruct”.I have two grown children who are both successful and I never hit either my son or my daughter. I wish the teachers and parents of Rwanda well. I also appreciate reading The New Times on the Internet.Christine Boisvert, Maine, United States******************************I think that beating and flogging children is really not the answer and there are so many other forms of repremands that reinforce discipline. I do not remember the beating punishments I got as a child but I remember the ones that made me really understand that I had done wrong. That’s how things should be done when it comes to children and students.Beating children is one of the things that I consider outdated. Beating is not the same as a slap on the wrist by the way. Getting a stick and hitting a child is out of question. Even animals shouldn’t be treated that way.Eva Gara, Kigali, Rwanda

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It is possible to discipline students without flogging them