I mentioned last week about the tantrum one of my colleagues kid indulged in when asked to take out his earring. This incident then prompted a discussion about what kids can and can't do at school. I'm sitting in my little corner listening to two young mother's getting very hot under the collar about schools demanding children wear uniforms, not allowing piercings and tattoos (their children are 8 and 12). "Why does my little precious have to wear a tie and a regulation sun hat?" (mandatory in all playgrounds). "Why can't he wear his blue and white Nike running shoes?" . . "Why can't he use his mobile phone at recess?" "Why doesn't the canteen sell soft drink, chips and lollies?" Both of their sons are 'behaviour' problems because basically, they're over-indulged, precocious (and not in a Mary Poppins way) In short, they're spoiled brats just waiting to fledge into proper little teenage bastards. Relationship break-ups with both mothers have led to overcompensation and bribery when it comes to their progeny. These little darlings have every mod con from XBoxes to mobile phones . . .yep an 8 year old with a mobile phone. They are dressed in Nike and Billabong, spoiled with XBoxes and PS3, whilst their mothers complain about the price of regulation black leather school shoes. Their weekends are filled with every activity from sport to moviegoing and of course the mandatory indulgence of their disenfranchised fathers. They're fed junk at home because that's what the little darlings want to eat. And in the next breath, they're complaining about children who won't touch a vegetable or a piece of fruit! But all of a sudden, bringing up baby has become the responsibility of the education system not the family.
I feel for teachers. They are expected to teach non-academic subjects such as sex education, health, social justice, aboriginal culture and a language in primary school. While at school, primary age children learn about bicycle and train safety, nutrition, drugs, sex education, stranger danger, aboriginal heritage, how to care for animals. They are expected to instill good manners and good moral values as well as teach music, sport and arts. The current syllabus includes the following units of work:
English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and its Environment, Creative Arts, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.
I've often told the Merry Widow and Struth Ruth that they have the best part-time jobs in the world but in reality, the pay is ordinary unless you take on a swag of extra-curricular stuff. Parents can be abusive. Children know exactly how to manipulate the system and particularly in primary school, the day does not end at 3:30pm!
When it comes to classroom discipline, teachers are not allowed to 'touch' a child . . even in a consoling way after a playground spat or a spate of tears. School children who accuse their teacher of verbally or psychologically abusing them have been given the right to complain to child protection investigators. Teachers who are abused both physically and verbally are regarded as guilty until proven innocent and lugged before a tribunal to defend their position. Teachers also are prevented from "socially isolating" children who are disruptive or naughty in the classroom. So much for 'time out'.
Maybe this would work:
toothpastefordinner.com
16 comments:
Ah, very familliar, PTCC's neice gets pretty much whatever she wants through being a manipulative little sod (got it from her dad) and then smugs it over mine (who for the most part don't notice as they are too interested in playing that they are magical faries out to save a unicorn from an evil witch or something cool like that). Personally I think uniforms are great, no "discussion" of what they are going to wear.
Those Mums must have forgotten all the answers to "Why" from when they were at school!
They also get 12 weeks leave a year *ducks*
Baino, you're so right on all points. Exactly the same points are made in the UK. Teachers these days have a bloody tough time of it what with the unruly kids and over-indulgent parents, the anxiety about physical contact, the attacks and false accusations by pupils, the huge workload (which in the UK includes constant performance tests) etc. It's about time some parents wised up and instilled a bit of responsibility and maturity into their little brats. Just about every NI school has a uniform so there's no competitive-clothing nonsense. Though whether you approve of schoolgirls in microskirts is another matter!
I have an 8 and 11 year old. They are proud of their uniform and wear it properly EVERY DAY. Their school shoes are costly because I care for their feet. They absolutely idolise their teachers and so they should - they're thumping good. My sons teacher lives and breathes teaching and as a result I have year 3 reading books aimed at year 6 and 7 year olds. I agree wholeheartedly with you Baino. Teachers should be paid and respected more. And sounds like the parents you're talking about are in for a wild ride! Besides, uniforms cut out any of the have's and have not's and thats gotta be a step in the right direction.
Well said Baino. Sometimes you can only shake your head or cringe when you hear similar conversations. More power and pay to the teachers I say*!*
Baino,
What is happening is that the "liberal" desire for "inclusiveness" is leading to ghettoes. As you have posted before, parents who have the money and want their kid to get a proper education are going off to the private schools, leaving behind the body piercers and their friends.
Uniform in my kids' school is so strict that even the pupils still waer black gowns over the uniform!
Does Glucosamine actually "do" anything..?
Thrifty: I can understand how it happens but it creates monsters. I wish I could wear a uniform to work - would make it so much easier to decide what to wear in the morning. I'm glad your littlies are into their fantasy play! Mine had more fun with the box than the present within more times than not!
Anony: Ask any teacher and they'll tell you there's a swag of parents like this with unrealistic expectations of what the education system should be providing.
Ryan: 22 sick days, 11 weeks leave and 4 in service days. Although in defense of my teacher friends, they put in long hours as well! High school teachers have it easier with less face to face teaching and more opportunities for preparation and marking during the school day.
Nick: It's more schools having to teach what are traditionally family values that I object to and often at the expense of the three R's. Uniform here varies from basic to strict depending upon the school. Most private schools are insistant on correct uniform . . .
Babysis: Quite so . . .same with canteens only providing healthy options. Nike's cost more than the black Bata's anyway! And kudos to Naughty Neph for finishing Harry Potter books at 8 years of age! I'd like to see the poor teachers 'weeded' out and the good ones rewarded. It's our children's future in their hands.
Ian: I consider myself a liberal but uniforms are practical. They level the playing field and eliminate one upmanship at school. Kids get enough of that after hours. Keep competition on the playing field I say. It's the same here. Mine went to a Catholic Independent school. Midway between State and Private but Uniform was enforced although not too strictly. In some areas, it's not due to the assumption that parents can't afford school uniform which I find indefensible. Surely a school uniform is cheaper than a different set of clothes/shoes each day.
Bet they love those black gowns!
Gleds: I don't know but when my dog had a knee replacement 18 months ago, they told me to put her on glucosamine to avoid further arthritis and my sister takes it for an arthritic knee so I'll give it a go.
Baino,
A new headmaster came to the school seven years ago and made the faintest suggestion that the gowns might be reviewed - there was nearly a revolution, the gowns cover a multitude of sins!
Ah ..... sure .... we're great ;)
Sounds like a little Ibuprofen wouldn't go amiss for those aching bones of yours.
That or a hot toddy and a hot bath.
Take your pick!
Hope tomorrow/today is a better day.
GREAT piece, Baino and goes a long way to explaining why I quit highschool teaching after a year.
Sapph might be an only child, but she's partly dressed in second-hand clothing (found my by mother who volunteers in a charity shop) and sale finds. She has a Nintendo, but a chore list as long as your arm and thankfully prefers veges to lollies. Part nature but also a helluva lot of nurture methinks.
My sis is a primary school teacher. She reckons its tough especailly with a class of 35 hoodlums but I give no symapathy will all those hols!
Soz teach I'm late for school. The dogs eat my homework and I was not here yesterday 'cause the budgie died!
I agree with what you say and particularly about the uniform. Mind you I dislike the idea of a mini straight skirt for young ladies at secondary level. They are completely unaware of the danger that such a skirt puts them in. I saw a beautiful you girl walk across a shop floor totally oblivious to a man drooling and mentally undressing her with his eyes.
Ian: I can't imagine it taking off here but must be a godsend against soup stains
Padddy: To be sure you are!
Steph: Voltarin did the trick thanks but my bath is so small it's just a waste of space!
Kath: Don't get me wrong, my kids didn't play in the middle of the road with a paper bag but they weren't spoiled. They too earned their treats with chores. Mind "be good or I won't let you drive the tractor . ." seemed to work like a charm.
Quicky: But you're on a perpetual holiday!
Grannymar: that's no excuse to be tardy with your homework/commenting! Now the provocation (or not) of the skimpily clad schoolgirl is a whole other blog . . .*cogs are turning*
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