Friday, September 22, 2006
LETTER TO MR CHUA
and here's the email i just sent...
Dear Mr Chua,
I am a student from Secondary Four.The purpose of emailing you is because i have some important questions to ask you.
Is it acceptable for teachers to use words like "stupid" and "idiot" to scold the pupils? On 21 September, the whole school was scolded by a teacher who used words like, "damn", "stupid", "fools", and "shut up". It is not the first time such a thing has happened, and upon hearing this again, my father has encouraged me to speak to you regarding this matter.
Hearing such words from the mouths of teachers has really made me doubt my primary school teachers and parents. Since young, my parents and teachers have been teaching me not to be rude. I've been taught time and again not to use such rude and demoralising words. However, hearing teachers from Bowen using words like these made me wonder, if teachers can use them, why can't I? So, are the teachers trying to send a wrong message to me, that as long as I am in authority, such words can be used?
I have never doubted the capabilities of teachers, and respect them with a great deal. However, with teachers using such words, they seem to tell us that they show respect to neither us as students, nor their jobs. It is hard for us to respect our teachers when they do not respect us as students, and their jobs.
As I walk out of school each day, thinking about what I've learnt through the day (as what you, Mr Chua have been encouraging us to do), I can't help but think that I've been taught that such rude words can be used on people.
I do believe as English and Literature teachers, they should have a wider vocabulary, and use words that aren't as demeaning while reprimanding the students. (I am referring to not just the incident that took place on Thursday.) I understand the fault did lie with the students who made noise during Reading Period. However, I believe that does not give teachers the right to use such rude words to scold us, especially when most of us were not even at fault.
My dad and I sincerely hope we will hear a satisfactory reply from the school soon. Thank you for taking time to read this letter.
7:00 PM
