Zero Tolerance in Schools
By Michael Stevens
Recent reports about students' behavioral problems at Korean schools came as no surprise to many who work in the public school system.
As a former private Christian school teacher with many friends still teaching, I have heard about and seen the discipline problem growing over the last seven years.
This article is not written to cast blame, as there is plenty of it to go around. In my opinion, all individuals involved with schools ― the teaching staff, administration, school board, students and parents ― have some role in this.
I would like to point out that the before current situation becomes any worse, schools need to enact a ``zero-tolerance" policy. Any student involved in sexual harassment, alcohol, weapons, gang activities, physical violence or bullying either physically or verbally against multicultural/multiracial students should be automatically referred to the school board for what is known as an expulsion hearing.
I am not saying that every student accused of such an offense should be expelled from school. In dealing with problems that require immediate attention of the school board, the authorities need to consider all of the factors before making a decision on a case-by-case basis. Discipline should not be left up to the teacher if the cases are more than normal disruptive behavior.
Students, even if they are not expelled by the board, should realize the ``message" as evident. It is usually less then 1 percent of students that make it tough for the all the other children and staff.
In terms of sheer numbers, if there are 3,000 students at a particular high school, then there are roughly 30 troublemakers. If you rectify those 30, the vast majority of students who want to learn will have a better chance and in a safe and more secure environment.
This can also be applied to the hagwon system where normally one or two disruptive students make it difficult for the other's to concentrate on learning. The teacher is so occupied in handling these few students that their ability to teach is hindered.
My last point is about toughening discipline on problems relating to school violence and sexual harassment and how critical it is that we reverse this trend. One way to do this is to start a counseling program at high school and if possible even earlier in middle school.
We cannot continue to let a few bad students hinder the progress of the rest. The majority of students that want to learn must be considered more important then the ones that don't and who destroy the learning atmosphere of the class.
Those students that cause the problems may be better suited for trade school or hopefully they will understand that the administration and school means business and not repent on their bad behavior and decide to fall in line with the rules and guide lines set by the school.
No matter what your personal beliefs on these issues, I would hope that everyone would agree that schools are not a place where children should feel threatened, abused or exposed to various other problems.
I urge that school boards, administration as well as the staff, students and all parents work together to ensure the health, safety and success of all of our students, including even the 1 percent who might be most responsible for the current school problems.
The writer is a student of Biblical studies. He can be reached at eslcity@gmail.com