It was another usual day at class. Lesson was going rather well until a knock on the door came. In sauntered Ri and he walked past right behind me. I always tell my students it's not proper to walk behind the teacher...so I made him go out again and greet first before entering. It went well, so I thought. I was glad he didn't kick up the usual fuss. He headed for his seat; I proceeded with my lesson. I did not even make it through the first 5 minutes. Soon a pint sized boy in front of him took up his hand and said Ri was disturbing him. I gave Ri a warning look. Then just to make sure he understood, I told him to pay attention to the lesson and leave his classmate alone.Before the minute was over, he was at it again. This time he muttered aloud, supposedly to himself but it was meant for everyone to listen. This went on. A few warnings later, I sent him to the back of the class to sit on the floor. He began to amuse himself by sitting on a plastic bottle. One tends to get used to such repeated behaviour like this, so I told him in an even voice that I was going to report him to the discipline teacher! He had been given warning that if any more complaints came in, he would be expelled. He kept silent. Lesson went undisturbed for a while...then he was at it again. This time a boy retorted something about Ri being just like his father... who was behind bars. He stood up, clearly angry! And he started pointing his finger at another boy and said his sister was wanted by the police...as if just to say there were others like him. But if I read him right, his insolence probably has to do with him being incessantly teased by his friends about his father!
Then I remembered...here was a boy who has been growing up without his father. His mother is too busy working to support the family. He has been disruptive since primary school. The school has talked to his mother. She doesn't know what to do with him. We don't know what to do with him either cos he just doesn't seem to want to fit into the class. Is he a case of double whammy? I don't really know but I feel kinda sorry for him. I hope he finds his way. I had a 'slow' talk with him before I left the class. But I doubt it would make a difference. I have done it countless times with him...as had other teachers!
So, what if both nature and nurture fail? What of kids like this?
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3 comments:
He is seeking some attention (love). Talk more logic to him, hopefully one day he will matured and realized what he is doing is wrong. YOu know, sometimes people take a longer time to matured. I am one of the kind. hehehe
wouldn't kids like this do better in vocational schools where they use they hands more than their brains?
The gahmen got rid of the vocational schools some time back..i think it was under Najib's watch. The vocational schools were turned into technical schools...in some upgrade exercise. As a result, those students not inclined towards academic subjects now have no where to go except stay on in day schools. We do the baby-sitting till they leave after SPM. These are the ones who are the discipline problems...mostly. Unlike many years ago, students who did not clear the then SRP would not move on to F4...these days almost everyone moves up. One only needs to pass one subject..then can move up to F4. And passing is not a problem. I had a boy who could not read or comprehend...and he managed to pass his Math! Vocational schools should make a comeback!
As for giving attention...we do our best..but these kids are incorrigible. I think generally teachers are concerned about their students welfare, etc...but these days....it's a crazy environment we're in.
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