As an educator, I empathise with the six teachers involved in the case of the boys found guilty of taking upskirt videos ("Upskirt video case: School 'right' not to go straight to police"; Monday).
I appreciate the teachers for forgiving the 30 students involved, even though they have every right to report them to the police, as this is no ordinary disciplinary issue but a criminal offence. A police warning would carry more weight and act as a greater deterrent.
These teachers, too, need support from their family and the school. Let us not be too quick to defend these young offenders. There may be many factors that contributed to this case, but there is no justification for the offence committed.
We should seek to uncover and address the root causes of the offence, which could be wrong values inculcated, a lack of proper guidance at home, undesirable peer pressure, pornography and so on.
Original letter
As fellow educators, I grieve with these six teachers; the victims in a secondary school's upskirt video case (Upskirt video case : School 'right' not to go straight to police,say parents, 31 Oct).
I thank them for forgiving these 30 students, though they have every right to report to the police as this is no ordinary disciplinary issue but a criminal offence that warrants a jail term. As such, a police warning would carry more weight and acts as a greater deterrence.
This is not just a case of insulting the modesty of women, but a rebellion against authority and a total disregard for the teachers involved.
It is disappointing that no teacher has been interviewed in this article. In caring for our young, let us not forget these six teachers who have to endure the humiliation that is not theirs. They too need tremendous support from their family and the school in this trying time.
Let us not be too quick to defend these young offenders. There can be many factors that contribute to this case but there is no justification for the offence committed.
In defending them, we are doing a great disservice to them. We should seek to uncover and address the root causes of the offence, which can be wrong values inculcated, no proper guidance at home, undesirable peer pressure, rebellion, pornography etc.
It has been said that the young today are 'fragile' and therefore we must treat them sensitively. Understanding that the standards of the law do not change will put us in perspective.
We should do our part to provide the love and care that every child need, revealing the truth that every wrong action comes with great consequences.
To spare our children from being disciplined by the law, let us be vigilant in molding our young today.
I thank them for forgiving these 30 students, though they have every right to report to the police as this is no ordinary disciplinary issue but a criminal offence that warrants a jail term. As such, a police warning would carry more weight and acts as a greater deterrence.
This is not just a case of insulting the modesty of women, but a rebellion against authority and a total disregard for the teachers involved.
It is disappointing that no teacher has been interviewed in this article. In caring for our young, let us not forget these six teachers who have to endure the humiliation that is not theirs. They too need tremendous support from their family and the school in this trying time.
Let us not be too quick to defend these young offenders. There can be many factors that contribute to this case but there is no justification for the offence committed.
In defending them, we are doing a great disservice to them. We should seek to uncover and address the root causes of the offence, which can be wrong values inculcated, no proper guidance at home, undesirable peer pressure, rebellion, pornography etc.
It has been said that the young today are 'fragile' and therefore we must treat them sensitively. Understanding that the standards of the law do not change will put us in perspective.
We should do our part to provide the love and care that every child need, revealing the truth that every wrong action comes with great consequences.
To spare our children from being disciplined by the law, let us be vigilant in molding our young today.
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