Secondary school bans raising hands in class
ENGLAND - A secondary school has been accused of putting ‘gimmicks’ over education after banning pupils from raising their hands to answer questions. The Samworth Church Academy in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, has written to parents to say it has abolished the ‘age old practice’ because it doesn’t ‘challenge and support the learning of all’. But the move has been criticised by some parents and the National Union of Teachers (NUT), who said it ‘shows a lack of respect’ to staff at the school. Parents and other head teachers have called it ‘bizarre’ and a ‘step backwards’. In the letter, principal Barry Found wrote: ‘We have taken the decision at the academy to dispense with the age old ‘hands up to answer a question’ practice. ‘We find that the same hands are going up and as such the teaching does not challenge and support the learning of all. ‘From Monday, November 28, hands will only be raised in the academy to establish silence for listening (the students are very used to this practice and are brilliant at it.) ‘We will use a variety of other techniques to ensure that every student is challenged and developed in class through our questioning and that every student has opportunities to contribute and participate.’ However, Jane Crich, of the NUT, said: ‘Any professional teacher should be trusted to teach a particular topic in a particular style according to the class they have. ‘I don’t know if there was a discussion before the decision was made but it shows a lack of respect to the teachers at the school. ‘Teachers are never backwards in discussing new educational techniques but banning one from the classroom is strange.’ And Liam Conway, who is also a member of the union, added: ‘This is a policy which may have some good reasoning behind it. But problem with this is I suspect it’s a policy that hasn’t been put to proper consultation.’ However, some parents backed the idea. Lyn Jones wrote: ‘The kids soon get used to it and as mentioned, it’s to give all kids the chance. It is also so that the teacher can encourage speaking and listening as and when is appropriate.’ (dailymail. co.uk)