Saturday, July 31, 2010
STOMP - Hwa Chong teachers take students' belongings 'to teach them a lesson' @ 11:04 PM
School. This is the place where we study, but is it right to post something about our school on the net? Where everyone can see and comment on? The topic I will be talking about today will be on the recent STOMP incident that happened in my school. It was very controversial and the topic has even been brought up during my level's assembly.
Here's a brief overview of the matter.
Students' viewpoint:
Deans and teachers went into the classrooms which were unlocked.
They took away many electronic and valuable stuff such as iPods, PSPs and Laptops.
RAIDED their bags.
Students were informed later.
Forced to write apology letters on the incident before the items were returned to them.
Teachers'/School's viewpoint:
Dean went into the classroom, surveyed the class, took away some items. Called more teachers to help.
Did not RAID the bags.
Students informed and made to write reflections on the matter. A EMB message was also sent out to inform them about the taking away of the things.
Items all returned promptly.
As the matter was raised in the level assembly, it is of a significant value. However, to me, it felt that the discussing of the matter was more of a 'propaganda' to show that whatever the school does is always correct, and we, as students do not really have a say in this matter. I heard some good and reasonable reasons during the talk, but they were all rejected and criticized. I was a my seat, feeling very confused, and at the same time, felt that all this was very ironical. Since a discussion with the student body is for us to raise our views and opinions, I do not understand why all the views were rejected. Thus I ask, why bother to have a session when all that you all do is to try to change our mindset to suit yours. It's all futile in the end.
I think that why the school did that, was because 'STOMP' is a public website and of course, anyone from anywhere who has the access to the internet can view it easy within a few clicks. The school is probably in a lot of pressure to try to convince people of its 'Good' public image, and at the same time, not making it seem like a pushover towards a students post on the internet. I have then decided on a few conclusions and opinions that we should all think about carefully.
1. Why cant there be a sense of trust among the students and teachers? We must all know the feeling of what it is like to know that you lost something, and in the end, it is actually your teachers who took it. We will feel as if we are being 'played' around by the teachers. Next time, we will also not know whether it is a real theft case or whether it is the teachers who tool our stuff. Thus this method will lose its efficiency, as students will think that their stuff are merely confiscated and will eventually be returned to them. Instead, I think that a better and more efficient solution is to issue demerit points and give them a stern warning.
2. By doing this, what do the teachers have to prove? That they are superior? That they can take our things without our consent? That we have to abide by all the rules? Could they have simply alerted the class first, and give them a warning, like the next time the same scenario happens then they will take action? Ultimately, the teachers are trying to teach the students a lesson, but it is the WAY they do it which makes a huge difference and impact.
On a side note, just to remind all of us, before we post anything about our school on the net, please think twice. Maybe there is still another method to salvage the problem? Ranting around the net is useless. So you could maybe SHUT YOUR MOUTH UP and go do other things. YEAH THANKS
Saturday, July 3, 2010
1st week in school @ 12:22 AM
The first week of school has just ended and as usual my teachers have laden me with homework. I am not sure how to finish all of them in time. Luckily, there is still a 'Youth Day' holiday on Monday to allow us to relax and finish our homework.
My projects day semi-finals competition is next Wednesday and I hope our flash website can be created in time. Most of our resource package is finished and I am confident that I can get into finals of the competition.
So just to sum up this week's events, I think that the workload now is considered to be very little already and I'm hoping to take this 'long' weekend off to revise my work hehe:D
World Cup update:
Remaining teams in the tournament: Uruguay, Argentina, Netherlands, Germany, Ghana, Spain, Paraguay.
In today's 10pm semi-final match, Netherlands overcame all odds and came back from a half-time deficit of 0-1 to score 2 goals in the second half and win the game 2-1.
I will be posting more of the world cup updates so check here daily :)