PUPIL TEACHERS AND CORPOREAL PUNISHMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 427, 22 August 1908, Page 2

PUPIL TEACHERS AND CORPOREAL PUNISHMENT.

At the local School Committee meeting on Thursday evening, an objection was raised to pupil teachers inflicting corporeal punishment on pupils. The Committee decided to have an immediate stop put to this practice, which is a distinct breach of the regulations. It is preposterous that a pupil teacher in his teens is allowed to inflict corporeal punishment at his own sweet will. If scholars merit punishment, as no doubt many do, they should be handed over to the headmaster with a statement cf the offence, and the child can be lectured as to misconduct and the punishment made to fit the wrong-doing in a calm manner. This method is far more effective and lasting on the offending pupil. Pupil teachers must learn to control their tempers and tongues, and to remember that in order to attain success in the high profession which they follow, much depends upon a sympathetic temperament. Intimidation, irrascibility, and sarcasm are crude weapons. A child in after life does not forget insulting remarks or scathing reflections. All children are not blessed with equal mental activity—heredity and environment handicap some little lives. Let the pupil teacher study human nature and uplift as well as instruct the little ones; a little more patience with the dull child is necessary. Unfortunately, so many teachers take up the profession in a mechanical way, regardless of their great responsibilities, and they should remember they are not merely machines, but character-builders.