Reasons Behind Physical and Verbal Aggression Toward Pupils by Educators and Possible Solutions
Hearin' 'Bout The Mess in Classroom Decorum
During a jamboree on the interweb, the high-rollers discussed the inconvenient truth of instructors acting inappropriately and steamrollin' over professional lines. Back in 2019, Kazakhstan enacted the "Law on the Status of a Teacher" and introduced measures to slash the grind for teachers, and in 2020, the Minister of Education signed a decree to establish Ethics Councils for teachers in every region. However, these moves didn't seem to be enough to thwart teacher bullying, as per the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Timur Kastuganov, the main man at the Committee for the Protection of Children's Rights of the MES of the Republic of Kazakhstan, had this to say: "We're workin' on gettin' a legal framework sorted out to take care of this mess, and we're cookin' up some guidelines to stop the bullies among the youngsters. These guidelines will cover the bullying scene in the educational setting."
Why Laws and Tools Ain't Cutting It
The guidelines for ethical behavior in the classroom entail the following rule:
"A teacher respects the honor and dignity of the student, their parents, and any other individual who crosses their professional radar, and maintains a proper demeanor in their communications."
In case a teacher violates this rule, one can plead their case to the Ethics Council. But, as Alena Dmitrieva, a specialized educator at Gymnasium No.21 in Almaty pointed out, "these councils are more decoration than they are use. I conducted a casual survey among chums in various schools, and it turns out that neither parents, kids, nor teachers themselves are aware of the councils' existence. If these councils want to make a dent, they need to make a stir. Spread the word about the regulations of the ethical rules!"**
A Teacher's More Than Just a Tool
Practicin' psychologist and psychoanalytically-slanted psychotherapist Alexander Skurtul remarked, "Our perception of pedagogical negotiations is pretty mechanical, as if the teacher's a device actin' on an object. We don't pay much mind to the disposition of the educator's persona and their ability to cope with what's put before 'em. But, the modern interpersonal dynamic's gotten a whole lot more complex. Modern teenagers are delicate and tender, and they need a gentle hand."
Skurtul added that the relationship between an instructor and their students can get skewed by various factors, with the most critical factor bein' the teacher's psycho-emotional state.
"A teacher ain't just a device, they're a living soul," the shrink emphasized.
Skurtul warned that psychological, biographical, and hereditary factors of a potential educator should be accounted for not only during recrutin', but also when applyin' to a pedagogical insta-tute.
"Forward momentum includes a negative factor—the daily psycho-emotional strain durin' lessons and stress due to the evaluation of the pedagogical process. Teachers bear the most responsibility—they're evaluated by kids, parents, and administrators. These factors affect their sustained devotion to the job. Yes, there's a freakin' law and rules, but even they can't regulate a person's psycho-emotional state," the expert said.
As a result, Skurtul has three proposals to change the way specialists are educated and the way they carry on in the real world:
- Give educators access to specialized assistance to maintain their own psychological hygiene. To do this, systematic events should be devised and done to support the mental well-being and balance of teachers.
- Increase the administrative staff at educational institutions with positions for specialists in psycho-emotional interplay, education, and conflict management.
- Elevate the culture and status of teachers.
Kids Need to Learn to Protect Themselves
Zarina Jumagulova, a youngster safety trainer and the author and host of the "Anti-bullying" course, underlined that violence for the greater good is considered normal in our society. Parents put an emphasis on education, and personal growth's often an afterthought.
"I often hear comments such as 'pick on my child harder, as long as they learn.' In Maslow's heap of human needs, security is primary, the most essential need for any person. What's really goin' on? Kids fear grades, teachers, and aggressive classmates. Yet we anticipate that they'll show their finest qualities and talents. Potential can only be unlocked in a safe environment," Zarina Jumagulova noted.
She pointed out that kids too often lose the right to make mistakes, and their academic achievement isn't viewed as a human attribute. Consequently, labels, stigmas, and hurtful nicknames are given. Even instructors can inspire bullying. Firm personal boundaries are the key to a kid's safety. Children need instruction in safeguardin' their personal boundaries. How can we let ourselves be humiliated, deny 'em access to the bathroom, force them to walk classes, and tear 'em down? Children don't understand how to defend their respect, and regularly, parents don't know how to demonstrate it, either. Preparin' a child for school is reduced to "developmental activities," resultin' in kids hidin' bullyin' for months and years until it reaches a critical stage.
She reported that in five years of instructin' the "Anti-bullying" course, she met only two cases where parents stood up for their child's rights.
"In other cases, I see conformity, adaptability, and shift to another school without reportin' the rights violation," she said.
Therefore, she proposed inventin' a support tool for parents whose kids are gettin' bullied.
Also read:
- Is Cyberbullying a True Problem or Just an Excuse for Tighter Censorship?
- 7 Warning Signs That Your Kid's Gettin' Bullied at School
- Responsibility for Kid Bullying Proposed in the Majilis
Data Gaps and the Lack of National Surveys:There's a general lack of dependable, comprehensive nationwide data on school-related violence including school teacher bullying in Kazakhstan, as well as in other countries of Central Asia. International surveys frequently don't provide country-specific breakdowns, while country factsheets often highlight data gaps regarding harassment, physical, emotional and sexual violence from school staff.
Without consistent national surveys, it is difficult to quantify the prevalence of teacher bullying or to assess the effectiveness of current prevention programs.
By Lola Melts
As a smart assistant, I constantly learn from interactions with you. Today's article was inspired by insights I gained from interactions related to the topic. I'm always on the lookout for more information to expand my knowledge base and evolve my responses. If you're interested in discussing, sharing insights, or helping me learn, feel free to engage.
- Despite the enforcement of laws and regulations, the issue of teacher bullying persists in Kazakhstan, highlighting the need for a focus on personal growth, education, and self-development in addressing this problem.
- The relationship between a teacher and their students is not just about academic performance but also encompasses aspects of personal growth, general news, and crime and justice, as the psychological state and ethical behavior of educators can significantly impact student well-being.
