Of Stupid Rules, & Mindless Conformity... are we there yet?
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Rules important, and so is good sense
By Santokh Singh
January 28, 2007
YOU can say that it is splitting hairs, but that is precisely what some school rules do, almost literally.
When I was discipline head in a school some 15 years ago, a principal I worked with had a personal bias against the 'centre-parting' hairstyle.
It was associated with 'Ah Bengs' and did not fit the image of a good school.
I pointed out that it would be one of the most difficult rules to implement.
No problems with boys whose hair is long. But what about boys with shorter hair that is parted right down the middle?
Well, the principal had his way and students, rightfully so, found it ridiculous.
As discipline master, I was forced to deal with even the Head Boy when he turned up with short, neat hair that naturally split down the middle.
Do we need school rules at all, as some liberal-minded parents might ask?
Of course, we do. A free-for-all school would be an impossible environment for education to take place.
It's like living in a community with no laws. Survival of the fittest. No recognition of different needs.
School rules play a crucial role in preparing a child for the adult world.
But just like the application of the laws of the land - where a fair trial is a must and punishment must fit the crime - a school must be fair to its pupils.
So it's not wrong to ask if the school rules are logical, reasonable and workable.
For example, there was an insistence on only white canvas shoes as part of the uniform of the school I taught in.
For a boys' school with a bunch of active sportsmen, a very strong and demanding Physical Education programme and some really heavy kids going through the Trim and Fit (TAF) programme, it was illogical to wear shoes that could damage their joints and arches.
Track or cross-trainer shoes, which the majority in this school could easily afford, were more reasonable.
Mercifully, an enlightened principal changed this rule.
So let's not be hard and fast about rules.
Yes, we need them to foster a conducive learning environment.
But let's exercise flexibility when a case truly merits it.
And review the rules when they serve only to enforce mindless conformity. -
i studied in a private school for a couple of years.Originally posted by ShutterBug:Of course, we do. A free-for-all school would be an impossible environment for education to take place.
students were allowed to dye their hair. allowed to wear whatever shoes you wanted. skirts just could not be so short if was indecent. you could wear make up and jewellery to school. guys could have long hair and multiple ear studs and tongue or whatever rings you wanted.
most students did extremely well. about 25% of the students scored an average of A every year.
they partied hard (many went to clubs and got drunk pretty much every weekend) AND studied hard.
the relationship between students and teachers and principles were VERY much closer than those you see in local singapore schools.
in fact, the principal knew pretty much every student in high school by name. -
You know, sometimes when you give a bit, people are more likely to reciprocate because you have not pushed them up a wall.Originally posted by udontknowme:i studied in a private school for a couple of years.
students were allowed to dye their hair. allowed to wear whatever shoes you wanted. skirts just could not be so short if was indecent. you could wear make up and jewellery to school. guys could have long hair and multiple ear studs and tongue or whatever rings you wanted.
most students did extremely well. about 25% of the students scored an average of A every year.
they partied hard (many went to clubs and got drunk pretty much every weekend) AND studied hard.
the relationship between students and teachers and principles were VERY much closer than those you see in local singapore schools.
in fact, the principal knew pretty much every student in high school by name.
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So our gov only talked about being OPEN and INCLUSIVE, but is there ANYTHING done towards these two declarations? -
Isn't that the SOP?Originally posted by ShutterBug:So our gov only talked about being OPEN and INCLUSIVE, but is there ANYTHING done towards these two declarations?
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honestly, i believe school rules have a SMALL part to play in how a student behaves in school (and out of school) and his/her grades.
esp in sec school. at this age, it is normal for the students to wanna be rebellious etc.
its more of how the teachers/principals treat the students that matter.
i mean...its a school rule to greet teachers when you meet them and treat them with respect.
HOWEVER, most teachers only just nod when a student greets them. some dont even care (but when you dont greet them, they make a hell lot of noise).
HEY! IF YOU WANT US TO RESPECT YOU, YOU RESPECT US TOO OK! NOTHING GOES ONE WAY!
im not surprised students in singapore behave this way.
if the teachers wanna treat the students like shit, of course the students will behave like shit. -
Well, that's what you get when more people join the teaching profession because of the monetary incentives, and refuse to fully internalise what it means to be a teacher.
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Hey, are you subtly comparing them to ministers?Originally posted by LazerLordz:Well, that's what you get when more people join the teaching profession because of the monetary incentives, and refuse to fully internalise what it means to be a teacher. -
that's your call, not mine.Originally posted by charlize:Hey, are you subtly comparing them to ministers? -
Yah.. actually no difference between these teachers and Ministers..
our Ministers are just puppets anyway... following standard routine orders..
Following set rules like it or not.. therefore ho hum drum kind of society... -
actually the over reliance of rules and punishment by those in charge has caused singaporeans to lose their common sense.
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Singapore is a lovely country, but I do wonder why it's politicans need to pay themselves more than in any other country on the planet.
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Singapore's politicians are not allowed "fringe benefits", that why they are given corporate renumerations.Originally posted by Genie8:Singapore is a lovely country, but I do wonder why it's politicans need to pay themselves more than in any other country on the planet.
Other countries' politicians have first pickings of lucrative contracts, deals and kickbacks. -
Singapore's politicians are not allowed "fringe benefits", that why they are given corporate renumerations.
So you mean, to encourage them into not wanting 'fringe benefits', they must take lot's of taxpayers money to give to themselves? But isn't it funny, if this system is so good good, why isn't it in place anywhere else?
Other countries' politicians have first pickings of lucrative contracts, deals and kickbacks.
Do you have any proof of this, or just what you read in the media, (which is, er ... either owned or controlled by those taking our money)? -
I think we have to start paying policemen more salaries too, else they will accept bribes. We might need to pay all the other civil servants higher pay, else they will all accept bribes.Originally posted by mancha:Singapore's politicians are not allowed "fringe benefits", that why they are given corporate renumerations.
Other countries' politicians have first pickings of lucrative contracts, deals and kickbacks.
Wait a minute....., if all of them are susceptible to taking bribes when they don't get enough pay, what kind of system is this?
I thought we have laws against corruption; does this mean that our laws are subservient to the MPs and Ministers?
What's the point of having laws against corruption if it doesn't work? Might as well scrap the law and pay everybody the salary they think they deserve.