Discipline is the key to success. No matter how intelligent a person is, if that person does not have the discipline to appropriately use what is in his head, then that that knowledge would be a trash. It is like being professional chess player who only know how to cheat and not to play with integrity. It is useless. So, as a practice for proper discipline, rules and regulations are implemented to be followed by individuals. There are thousands of rules and regulations existing, even in our very homes. Still, rules and regulations remain as only words if the people implementing it are not strict to their commandments.
Let’s face it. One of the most annoying parts of being a teacher are not being followed by the students, their talk-backs, and most especially, their cutting classes in particular subjects. If this happens in repeat, it could mean that you are not an effective mentor—that your words do not count at all and your best is never enough for them. As a teacher, there is an oath of responsibility that their students should learn from them, within lectures and life’s lessons. But, what if the students act more superior than you are? What to do?
Strict does not mean evil. Sometimes superiority is only what needed to tame the naughty students who kept acting older than all the faculty members and school officials. It is true that teachers and school officials should acquire a tender-caring heart for the students. However, how can a student respect the elders if one cannot make himself/herself well-respected? Once rules and regulations are disobeyed, be consistent in giving the consequence for the student’s actions. No excuses. No considerations. In that way, the students will learn to control their actions and prevent defying the rules and regulations. All it takes is the stability of strictness of the teachers to the students.
In addition, teachers are already the second parents and role models of students. It is an obligation of a teacher to follow the rules and regulations of the school. It is not an excuse that you are the mentor so you are exempted from the rules. It does not work that way. If a teacher wants to be respected, as well as the school’s rules and regulations, the teacher must set the example and fear disobeying. If one cannot portray the responsibility of following the school regulations, then the students may follow the misconduct. Doing right is just like the game “Follow the Leader”. The teachers should begin with themselves, and then the rest will follow.
By: Dinah Maureen Libunao | Teacher III | Mariveles National Highschool – Cabcaben | Mariveles, Bataan
