Are we giving students too much power over teachers?
This debate should not be debated by educators or anyone who is deeply involved in education. Policy makers should be involved in this debate. Why I say that? Let’s take a look at the headline “Are we giving students too much power over teachers? Pay attention to the word ‘we’.”
Who is this “we” really? Is it teachers, parents, society or politicians? I am an English teacher and teaching has been part of my family since my father was a teacher. In the past, students were easily controlled because the rules and regulations they had at home were on a par with the ones they had at school. However, these days, the rules and regulations are slightly the same, and sometimes they can be completely opposite. If this debate is trying to blame the teachers, I will be very sad and upset. Lately, we have been putting a lot of emphasis on human rights, specifically children’s rights. We know your rights, but we are directing you towards a person who understands and respects someone’s right, especially when it comes to respecting teachers. As the old saying goes, “Anything that is too much can be painfully destructive.”
It is wonderful to see students master the art of critical thinking. In other words, they constantly question their surroundings, emotions, answers, facts, etc. However, giving them too much power, without explaining the known and unknown consequences of abusing power, will produce intellectual bullies. For example, a lawyer who is supposed to fight for justice finally becomes a professional criminal when he manages to free a criminal by playing the facts and the worst thing is that this lawyer has no guilt in him. Are we going to produce another Hitler in our class?
Teachers are aware of the destructive effects of giving students too much power. However, do parents and the government know the consequences? Has there been any mutual understanding and discussion between teachers and government or between teachers and parents in the creation of our educational system? Absolutely yes, but the implementation of an excellent education system has been negatively modified by policy makers as too much power is given to politicians.
Before I sign off, I’d like to share with you some ideas on how to reduce or stop production of the modern Hitler. Teach students how to keep the fire small no matter how much wood and gas they give it. Thank you for reading.
