Commentary

will realize that not all teachers mind what they are doing hence it might not be bad at all. Next time, they will only make sure that the teacher who scolded them is not present before they play and make noise again. This is applicable in all cases. If a student who wears tattered pant is not corrected by the first teacher he/ she meets, he/ she might think it is okay. When the second teacher confronts this student, the student thinks it is unfair because he/she thinks that it is okay for some while not for other teachers.

The discipline concern is always a challenge among big schools. There are lot of students to handle, sometimes the teaching staff is so engrossed with paper works, the guidance office is undermanned, and the disciplining is left only to the teachers concerned. It is imperative that all teaching and non-teaching personnel of the school is on the same page in addressing the concern. In big schools such as Baguio City National High School, students are getting bolder in challenging the authorities. They are no longer watchful of their words and actions when their immediate teachers are not there even if other teachers are p r esent .

Teachers are not only teachers for some students. Teachers are teachers of all students in the school thus it is their right and duty to teach all students, inside and outside the classroom. Grade 10 students are not disciplined only by Grade 10 teachers, the responsibility is given to all teachers and school administrators. You do not call the adviser to point out a mistake of one student when you are already there to correct. You are in uniform and your title is a teacher or a supervisor whose duty is teach students holistically. The school must acknowledge that student discipline is one enormous challenge that needs immediate solution.—

Sherwin L. Fernando