No matter what one feels about a teacher, pushing one is totally unacceptable. Sure I had teachers I wanted to hit, throw shoes at and push off cliffs. But I didn’t because that would just be heinous, despicable…
Today one of my students shoved me more than once. Actually he’s no longer my student. My class had seven bad eggs who were pulling the rest of the class down. At first, the school wasn’t too bothered until one day when I just lost it. I was ready to quit. When I gave detention, they pet the kids and told them to behave. When I insisted, they told me not to because it would make me unpopular. Like I’m there to make friends. When I issued pink cards, they would, again, give the kids a warning (pink cards are complaints that go on their permanent records). Once I insisted upon issuing the pink card and it was given to the kid who in turn went home and wept. He created this whole fuss about how I was targeting him. So his mother refused to sign it and sent it back. The result? He was free to do as he pleased again.
Actually this student is quite a conniving little fellow and his parents let him get away with murder. At the parent teacher meeting, I expressed my concern and told them that he had a behaviour problem. They refused to believe me. They kept implying that I was lying and kept defending him. “You’re the ONLY teacher that has a problem with him!” they declared. I was left stupefied. If my teachers had said something like that about me, my mother would have hung me upside down from a fan and then switched it on full blast. In fact, they were so clueless and delusional about their child that they kept telling me how all the other teachers loved him and how he was the best thing that could ever happen. They told me to adjust my behaviour and they implied that I deserved what I got. What really pissed me off was the fact that I had heard three other teachers complain to them in front of me. I have severe issues with parents like that and I’m very glad I don’t have to deal with them anymore.
So, at the beginning of this term, I kicked out 7 boys. I was more than happy to be rid of them. It’s one thing to have a bad student, but it’s quite another to have a bad person as a student. They’re still royal pains in the behind though. They make a huge effort to disrupt the class and take ages to leave when I walk in. But today just took the cake…
I walked into class. The sports teacher gave the kids permission forms for something or the other. I don’t really care. The offender- the one who pushed me- grabbed all the forms and started pretending to distribute them. In reality, he was causing a ruckus and deliberately stalling. His teacher, for reasons unknown to me, doesn’t care if they show up late, so they feel free to wander around at will. That’s why they deliberately cause havoc and make a huge show out of leaving. They take ages to pack their bags. The kid with the delusional parents always yells and makes one hell of a lot of noise. Today, when I complained about that, he lied with such a straight face that I was left amazed. And I completely blame his parents.
Anyway, the violent child who was pretending to distribute the papers, had to be told off. He absolutely refused to leave. I took his bag and was going to put it outside so that he wouldn’t make a big fuss about the bag. He often takes about two whole minutes to hoist it on his back. He saw me take the bag and he grabbed it. Knowing that I had a firm grip on it, he grabbed it and started shoving me. I managed to hold on to the bag and I put it outside. Once outside, he started shoving the door into me. He knew I was standing behind it since it is mostly glass. He could see me quite clearly. He repeatedly shoved the door into me. Then he left.
I was livid. I couldn’t believe that a student would ever resort to physically abusing the teacher. Never did I think it would happen to me and I truly hope it doesn’t happen to another teacher. The Principal was very understanding. She gave him a tight slap, which was really quite satisfying to watch. Then she suspended him for 2 days.
The people who know me are as livid as I am about this. In fact, a few have suggested that this punishment isn’t enough. I don’t know what to think anymore. Private schools are equally to blame for this terrible attitude. They cater to the parents and the result- not to the actual development of the child. I don’t think they educate in the true sense. Yes, they are a far better option than our local government schools, but that’s not enough. It’s not enough to get good grades. A good education should teach you respect for humanity and the environment. I feel damn lucky to have been part of UWC for I truly got a wonderful overall education there. We need schools like UWC here desperately. I aim to open one as soon as I can save enough money. It’s a long way off, but I am adamant about making it happen some day. I certainly don’t ever want to see my siblings’ kids in any school that doesn’t provide them with a comprehensive education. The O level system is ridiculous. It’s based on gimmicks and points. I have personally taught kids who can hardly speak English, yet they got A’s. The system has been cracked and the leaks are soon going to burst. Anyone with me?
You bet we’re livid, this little SOB should have been expelled. Suspension for 2 days isn’t going to do him any good; in all likelihood it’ll be like a long weekend for him.
Still, he’ll (hopefully) want to avoid incidents like this in the future.
The next time he’s in class with you, stare him full in the eye and make sure he leaves well within your time limits.
Ironically, I too had a pretty horrible experience today, I forgot to mention it to you over the phone because we were talking about the protest… I had a 6th grader yell at me and tell me it wasn’t “his fault if you (meaning me) can’t hear properly”. This was in response to me catching him attempting to switch group members for work assigned to him by another teacher and then denying it! I don’t know why I didn’t report him, I have so much trouble with this kid it’s not funny. The worst thing is, the administration won’t do anything about it. Nada. Towards the end of last term he was so rude to me they promised me they’d remove his “Class Rep” (a sort of honorary position he was elected to via class democracy, *shudders at symbolism of lack of education of the masses*) badge. And did they? No, you might not be too surprised to hear, they did not.
It’s high time these outdated O-Level systems were removed from our syllabuses; do you know that even in Britain, etc, they do a more updated version?!
We should consider switching to the IB programme, if not the diploma, then at least the primary and secondary programmes. And before people start telling me it’s too expensive: Please! Considering how much money most private schools here make, the switch would be WELL within their budgets!
Comment by Kamil — February 7, 2008 @ 1:40 am |
Your school will continue to have problems since it has such weak administrators. This might sound like something that never happens but it does. In a five year period 1.3 million teachers were victims of non-fatal attacks in school. This spring I have a new book coming out on students and parents bullying teachers and administrators. It is titled Attacking our Educators. The book looks at why, how, where, and what contributes to this issue. It has over 80 solutions addressing school and teacher safety. A two day suspension is really another term for vacation. Thanks and have a great day.
Comment by Derek Randel — February 7, 2008 @ 11:43 pm |
hi nabiha
i really feel sorry for you ,i don’t know what to say i hope things will get better but i really like one thing that you take it objectively ,i thing you raised a good point about the state of private schools.i thing the schooling structure should be change.we can find some of our answers in amir khan tere zameen par i guess like tzp there should be enough social activities for developed of child personality.
what do you think.
regard
humza ikram
Comment by humzaikram — March 8, 2008 @ 3:19 pm |
I think we need to actually educate! The O level system should be eliminated. Social service should be made compulsory, as well as varied activities. Music, art and theatre should be taught alongside science. I could go on and on… huge changes need to be made. I hope to one day have the support and resources to do so. Thanks for visiting Humza.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 8, 2008 @ 6:30 pm |
hi nabiha
actually you are right in saying social service should be made compulsory ,i remember one my conversation with my chachoo ,his punjabi poet and now lives at states he told me how authorities tried to confuse as.he gave me an example how punjabi literature was discourage and first punjabi writting was published in 70’s ,the sad part was we were made to beleive we will be better pakistani if we write and read in urdu and ultimatlely better muslims.and because of this some of the best literal punjabi writtings were wasted . and one of our religious party went on saying speaking punjabi is a kufr and fun part was he was himself .
the same mindset is adopted by the authorities of private school as well the children of those time and now the have become parent.the measure of child growth they have is how good or bad grade they get in exams ,and beleive me that the only criteria the have.
regards
humza ikram
Comment by humza ikram — March 11, 2008 @ 11:55 am |
You’re right that Punjabi is discouraged. It should be taught. I am an non-Punjabi speaking Punjabi. Only now do I realise the value of it, and I’m quite embarrassed to admit that I can understand it, but not respond. I must pause to give LGS credit here. They do teach Punjabi at the junior and senior level. I think they’re one of the only private schools that teach it. I wish others would follow this example.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 11, 2008 @ 12:59 pm |
that great to hear LGS are teaching punjabi, but they have other issues which are hard to digest,last year my went to lgs for admission of my nephew he was then 2 and half years old the adminstration told her that he was too young for the admission and this year when went there told he is now 3 and half he is too old for an admission .
regards
humza ikram
Comment by humza ikram — March 12, 2008 @ 12:08 pm |
thats great to hear LGS are teaching punjabi, but they have other issues which are hard to digest,last year my sister went to lgs for admission of my nephew he was then 2 and half years old the adminstration told her that he was too young for the admission and this year when went there told he is now 3 and half he is too old for an admission .
regards
humza ikram
Comment by humza ikram — March 12, 2008 @ 12:12 pm |
Really? Which LGS is this?
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 12, 2008 @ 12:52 pm |
i am not in lahore anymore ,my sister told me on the phone she went to LGS and adminstration is telling her this,she told Wali(my nephew) didn’t like lgs anyway it was an old building his is now at LACAS.
but after you told me lgs is teaching punjabi i am thinking he will be missing something great.
regards
humza ikram
Comment by humza ikram — March 14, 2008 @ 12:26 pm |
Hello everyone,
Because of the increase in teacher violence (there seems to be a story everyday), I have tried to get more involved in the national discussion. I am trying to establish a centralized site for the issue of violence against teachers. If you have any other stories or insight to make the site better, please visit
http://www.safeteachers.com
Thanks and stay safe
Comment by JC — May 1, 2008 @ 6:53 am |
I am a middle school teacher in Pomona, California, USA. I can tell you that we did have a male teacher physically attacked this year by an eighth grade student. Also, a few days ago I had a student tell me “I’m gonna have my momma come down and cut you up!” I have been with the district for five years and although I cannot verify the following, I have heard from more than one credible source about a teacher who was tied up with electrical cords while the students vandalized the rooms. What is almost as bothersome as the threats and the violence that we have to endure is the lack of administrative support. The minute that the student denys what he or she has done, we go from being a victim, to having to defend ourselves and being asked what we did to provoke them.
Comment by elsabeth — June 13, 2008 @ 7:16 am |
I want to tell you that you are good .
regards,
zahra
Comment by Zahra Ahmed — November 27, 2008 @ 5:13 pm |
Thanks Zahra
Have I taught you?
Comment by Nabiha Meher — November 27, 2008 @ 7:19 pm |
I am ashamed to admit I used to be a problem child.
Try to check and see if any of those bad apples is under-challenged. That was my problem.
Comment by Butters — March 17, 2009 @ 4:56 am |
I was no angel either, but violence didn’t even cross my mind. I was also utterly bored in subjects like Pak Studies and Islamiyat. These particular kids weren’t under-challenged; in fact, they were struggling with basic things like punctuation. At this point they were studying Shakespeare and not really understanding it poor things! We had to teach it like a story instead of the way an actual O level subject would be taught. No essays, only quizzes type stuff, and yet they were struggling. They had all failed actually, but the school passed them because their parents threatened to pull them out and the Principal told me very openly that they didn’t want to lose money. The kid who pushed me was admitted from some terrible school- god knows why. His English was abysmal, as was his understanding of most subjects, but LGS was just desperate for numbers and money! (I’m feeling bad saying this considering my phuppo is an owner, but sorry! This has to be out in the open! Schools need to be held accountable for this nonsense, and let this be a resounding, embarrassing, public reason why good teacher don’t stick around!)
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 17, 2009 @ 5:36 am |
elsabeth: public schools systems suck everywhere, except some of the rich neighborhoods. I’m sorry to hear that. I hope the kid was suspended…
I don’t want to buy in to the Republican rhetoric, but I certainly do feel that teachers cannot replace parents; parents have to teach their kids ethics and etiquette… and instill good learning ability in them. How much can public schools do? :/
nabiha: why don’t you move?
Comment by Salahudin al-Rawandi — March 17, 2009 @ 6:28 am |
Interestingly, I went to LGS Islamabad. I don’t know if that’s the LGS you’re referring to.
Violence definitely had crossed my mind when I was younger. Sometimes teachers can treat students really badly, and students want revenge as a result. One of my teachers (not in LGS) used to degrade, bully and humiliate us, and my bad behaviour was mostly a reaction to her. I didn’t think it was right for children to be oppressed in this way.
In retrospect I was a complete idiot, but I thought I’d mention the role of the teachers to give you the other perspective. Though I don’t condone the behaviour of those boys, sometimes there is genuinely something wrong with the system.
Comment by Butters — March 17, 2009 @ 6:30 am |
Yes, parents do need to instil values, but the problem is the jahalat if you know what I mean… The parents themselves are pretty jahil in a lot of cases, and some of the boys’ attitude is quite disgusting. Those who come from backgrounds where their women are under lock and key feel that we’re too “liberal” because we don’t cover our heads or preach everything from an Islamic point of view. It’s ridiculous… I taught at Aitchison in Lahore and whole experience is worth writing a book about but it still makes me angry to think about the way I was treated, not just by the students, but by the disgusting politics in the faculty in general. The kids there are perverse and completely unable to think for themselves. The sort of phone calls I used to get were also pretty disturbing since they reflected just how tough my job was. As one of the only openly secular, feminist teachers who constantly challenged them, I had to endure slander on the internet, which included orkut groups promoting me as a prostitute, and sexually explicit descriptions of what they would do to me. I once addressed this issue in class by blatantly asking them how they would feel if this was being done and said to their mothers and sisters. They were obviously shocked since that thought hadn’t even occurred to them and put up feeble protests like “Ma’am why are you making this personal?” And I did say, “well… because I am someone’s sister too you morons!”
The whole concept of moving is just something I haven’t been able to decide on yet. Right now I’m not in Pakistan anyway- I’m in Brighton doing an MA. No idea where my life will take me. My only goal is to do as well as I can and get published if possible.
Butter, the system is deeply, deeply flawed. And the schools don’t care as long as they churn out results and make money.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 17, 2009 @ 7:07 am |
And I’m referring to LGS Main Boulevard- the one opposite Centre Point. Main owner is Mrs Yawar Ali, Principal is Dr Shazia. The supervisor, Salman Yasin, ex-headmaster of Aitchison’s senior school, who was also my boss at Aitchison, is a brilliant man, but he’s obviously limited by the system. Frankly, I think he should open a school. It would be incredible.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 17, 2009 @ 7:10 am |
That’s terrible, what you went through. Ugh, what perverted idiots.
Comment by Butters — March 17, 2009 @ 7:31 am |
One day I will reveal all! Muahahaha! If I “disappear” after it, at least you all will know who is behind it since the most rich and powerful men of Pakistan run Aitchison. Incidentally they’re all filty rich but they paid us as much as drivers make, and cut money for stupid things like water and being sick. Not kidding. Water! despite the fact that they didn’t even give us clean drinking water (we had to buy it from the overpriced canteen) or tea… we had to buy our own kettle and mugs, so I was quite livid at being charged for flushing since I didn’t use any other water. And they charged if you went to the school “hospital.” Half the salary would disappear and they wouldn’t even bother justifying it while they drove around in their Pradas with big fat Rolexs’.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 17, 2009 @ 7:47 am |
Unbelievable. I’m rethinking my plan of possibly working in Pakistan for brief periods in the year. In any event I wasn’t going to be a school teacher, but it’s still an ugly reminder of ‘work culture’ in Pakistan.
Comment by Butters — March 17, 2009 @ 7:49 am |
Don’t bother if you don’t know the system and how to handle the politics, but the word reminder suggests you already know that it’s just one huge pain in the ass. It varies from industry to industry though… for some reason, education if notorious for the worst politics in Pakistan.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 17, 2009 @ 7:53 am |
well if the teachers can’t help much and the parents are jahil… surely all is lost. yet humanity has taught its young even though our ancestors were once all jahil too… heck, i can trace back my family history to what i like to call “definitional losers” i.e those who DEFINE the term losers and are also defined by it.
but hey… someone must be working very hard – be it parents or teachers – to enlighten the little tykes.
Comment by Salahudin al-Rawandi — March 17, 2009 @ 9:55 am |
Luckily, a few respond to their teachers, also depending on what school system they are in.
Comment by Nabiha Meher — March 17, 2009 @ 5:53 pm |