Happy for humanity
According to the new draft, primary school students only need reminders and apology requests. For middle and high school students, there are three levels: reminders, criticism and the requirement to write a self-criticism; there is no longer a form of temporary suspension.
For many parents, this change is considered an ideological step forward. Ms. My Hanh - a parent with a child studying in grade 8 in Nghe An, assessed that this draft has focused on education and transformation rather than punishment. Disciplinary forms such as criticism in class and school can cause psychological damage to students, long-term affecting their personality development.
However, many parents have expressed concern that if the handling measures are too light and not deterrent enough, it will lead to negative consequences. Ms. My Hanh herself is also concerned about the deterrent effect if she only stops at the level of reminding, criticizing or writing a review.
Level 2, the children are at a stage of being easily rebellious, not fully aware of the consequences of their actions. If there are not enough weight-of- kind measures, it can make children take the inheritance test lightly" - Ms. Hanh said.
Sharing the same view, Ms. Do Diem Quynh - a parent with children studying at both primary and secondary schools in Hanoi, said that reducing discipline at primary school level is reasonable but should maintain some appropriate forms of discipline for the remaining two levels. At school, students not only absorb knowledge but also practice discipline, responsibility and behavior. Therefore, reward and discipline must go hand in hand.
Worry about the lack of "stop points"
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Tran Thi Tho - a teacher at Hoang Van Thu High School (Hanoi) said that previously, disciplinary measures had been streamlined. Currently, the school only applies the form of 3-day suspension and criticism in front of the class instead of criticizing in front of the school, suspending for a week or expelling students.
With this adjustment draft, the female teacher found a positive change in educational thinking, emphasizing the role of education rather than punishment. However, Ms. Tho also emphasized the effectiveness of the disciplinary measures being applied.
Students are very afraid of disciplinary measures such as lowering conduct checks and recording in their academic records. Because of their high deterrent effect, it will limit the problem of students violating discipline and regulations, especially dangerous behaviors. Therefore, I also wonder if all forms of discipline are abolished, students will be more free, and the number of violations may increase" - Ms. Tho expressed.
Commenting on the draft, Ms. Tho said that it is necessary to classify the violations of students. For serious or repeated violations, there must still be appropriate disciplinary action.
Discussing this issue, Dr. Vu Thu Huong - psychologist, former lecturer at Hanoi National University of Education - commented that moral training for students does not come from advice but from action.
In the school environment, student discipline needs to ensure deterrence and education. If students only write a review or apologize formally without any impact, it is easy for them to "grope the law".
According to Ms. Huong, students who comply with disciplinary measures from school will help form a sense of the rule of law when they are grown up.
Schools are places to train children in knowledge, skills and ethics. When schools abolish all forms of discipline and punishment, the goal of training children in ethics will be left unanswered, putting the burden on the family. This is very alarming - Dr. Vu Thu Huong said.
