Myanmar Teacher Platform

To keep a school physically safe, we need more than walls built around the classroom and locks on the doors. Those things keep bad people out, but we also must ensure that people in the school do not harm each other. Teachers mustn't hurt students. We will talk about a practice used by some teachers that is very harmful and has long-term impacts on students' wellbeing and safety. Corporal punishment, such as spanking or hitting students, is not an effective way to manage behavior and can have detrimental effects on a child's wellbeing. It can lead to fear, mistrust, and a hostile learning environment, which is counterproductive to education goals. Fortunately, there are alternative strategies that can help maintain discipline in the classroom and encourage positive behavior without resorting to physical punishment. Here are some practical approaches for teachers to consider:

Positive Reinforcement: Encourage and reward good behavior with praise, small tokens, or other incentives. Acknowledging and celebrating students' achievements can motivate them to behave well and strive for success.

Effective Communication: Open, respectful communication between teachers and students is crucial. Listening to students' concerns, thoughts, and feelings. This can help you understand the root causes of their misbehavior and address these issues constructively. Conflict Resolution Skills: Teach your students how to manage conflicts, resolve differences, and develop empathy for one another. These life skills can improve their relationships and overall behavior. A lot of misbehavior result from tension between peers, or are way to show off due to lack of confidence and self-esteem. Restorative Practices: Implement healthy practices that encourage students to take responsibility for their actions and make amends when they do wrong. This approach helps build empathy and understanding. Make sure that your classroom rules include a statement that emphasizes that ‘Actions have Consequences’ and don’t get bored from reiterating that we are all responsible for our actions. Clear Expectations: Set clear and consistent rules and expectations in the classroom and ensure that students understand them. When everyone knows what's expected of them, it becomes easier to maintain a positive learning environment. Example, make clear that if they throw trash on the floor, they will have to clean up the room. Be firm and make no exceptions!