just another American teacher in SK

I witnessed my first  ass-whoopin’  today in the counselor’s office.  It was odd ~ I watched as the two little boys got into a position, like they were going to do push-ups.  Then the counselor whipped out his ruler and cracked each boy three times, hard and fast, on the butt.  I don’t know what they did, but they probably won’t do it again for a while.  Nor will their friends, who were waiting out in the hall to comfort them.

We actually are in the second week of the “No Violence at School” initiative … ironic, isn’t it?

Almost all of the teachers carry batons or rulers or some sort of discipline tool ~ I’ve asked them NOT to bring them into my classroom.  The alternative punishments include holding chair above their head for 10 minutes followed by an apology, standing in the corner for 10 minutes (so embarassing!) for 10 minutes followed by an apology, etc.  If the entire class is acting up, they have to close their eyes and be calm for 5 minutes (excruciating) followed by an apology to the teacher.  Ct1 is the only co-teacher that still comes armed with a drumstick, ironically decorated with pink and blue ribbons, ready to strike anyone who dares to do anything.  (sigh)

I’ve heard the horror stories of kids with bruises, black eyes, split lips, or broken fingers.  The “discipline” in the schools had escalated to such a level and become so widespread that the Korean Education Ministry issued a directive ordering schools not to “beat students with broom sticks, ice hockey sticks, slippers, belts or attendance books.”  No mention of rulers, batons, drumsticks, hands, etc. 

We actually are in the second week of the “No Violence At School” initiative …   hmmmm 

Enough about that!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at 10:16 pm and is filed under 1. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.