FOCUS ON EDUCATION When discipline goes so goes learning

Proper discipline works for better student achievement. Daily, the schools are besieged with a plethora of learning techniques intended to improve student achievement. But few techniques discuss the vital role of discipline in learning.

Schools constantly discuss technology, pedagogical methods, class sizes, new testing techniques, etc. We even try to make learning fun.

But few people talk about making children sit down. Listen to the teacher and do the required assignments. Few talk about discipline needed to learn hasic information that is necessary before education can happen.

Having heard how superior the private schools are supposed to be versus the public schools, I decided to do some research. I visited several private and public schools to find out for myself what is the secret for this high esteem that the public has for the private versus the public schools.

I sat quietly in the rear of the classes observing the teachers and students at work. After the class was dismissed, I asked teachers in both private and public schools two questions. “When you have discipline problems? How does the school handle them when you cannot?” And “How many parents are actively working with you to help educate their children?”

Some of the public school teachers seemed vague in answering the question how the school handles problems beyond their control. Sadly I noticed that some of the teachers seemed apathetic to enforcing discipline in their classrooms. Many of the students seemed to just do their own thing. Another example that surprised me was that students seemed to roam around the classroom wanting to get something or sharpen their pencils or simply turned around and spoke to their fellow classmates at will. I saw much wasted learning time.

The answer to the question how many parents actively cooperate with the teachers in educating their children disappointed me. The answer was a dismal 20%. Most teachers said that it is almost impossible to reach many of the parents. They also remarked that many parents even scolded the teachers for bothering them and added they felt that their child was not at fault.

On the other hand, the private school teachers said that if a child does not behave and study actively, he is reprimanded. If he still persists in not studying, the parents are called to take the child home. There appeared a no non-sense atmosphere. Upon asking the question concerning the number of parents actively cooperating in educating their children, the teachers replied that 90 to 95% of the parents did.

In the private schools, students sat erect at their desks. Raised their hands when they wanted to answer a question. When a student went to the board to write something, as he rose, he quietly slid his chair under the desk as he left.

The above observations and comments are not made to criticize an entire system or praise another one. I know too well this is a complex and touchy subject. There is not a simple situation. But I noticed that discipline has a different meaning to the private and public Schools.

My purpose in this brief discussion is to have us examine the role that discipline plays in educating our children. I firmly believe that the latest technology, the best teaching techniques, and more money will not improve educational levels unless discipline is imposed upon students by teachers and parents working harmoniously together. Students must learn selfdiscipline guided by their teachers and most of all by their parents. Active parental involvement is the key to better student achievement.