29/10/2025
Teachers, today at school I observed one of my students wearing several rubber bands on his wrist. The sight reminded me of my secondary school days when teachers would react harshly to such behaviour. Back then, if a student was seen with rubber bands, the teacher would stretch one until it became very tight and release it on the studentβs hand, causing serious pain.
When I saw this today, I almost acted the same way out of habit, but I quickly paused and reminded myself that as an educator, professionalism must come first.
I controlled my emotions, asked the student to remove the rubber bands, and seized them respectfully. Later, I reflected on how teachers in the past may have lacked patience, empathy, and understanding. Discipline should never come through pain or humiliation. As modern teachers, we must correct with care and compassion, remembering that todayβs students are tomorrowβs leaders.