Forum: Caning from school principal years ago made me a better person
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I agree with Forum writer Chan Whye Shiung that there is something seriously wrong with discipline in our schools today (Time to take definitive stand against school bullies, Oct 11).
We may be taking too soft an approach to those who commit grievous hurt in schools. Bullies are emboldened, knowing the consequences of their actions often amount to little more than counselling or suspension from lessons.
Such consequences are like water off a duck’s back, while victims endure long-term physical or emotional trauma. In the recent incident at Meridian Secondary School, for example, a student suffered a ruptured eardrum after being attacked by bullies.
I fully support Mr Chan’s call for the Ministry of Education to implement the old-school approach to dealing with bullies.
More than 40 years ago when I was still in primary school, I roped in a few of my friends to beat up a fellow pupil who was older and much bigger than I was.
As a result of our foolish actions, we were caned by the principal. I was caned thrice, but I was glad as it drove home the severity of my actions.
Contrary to concerns about corporal punishment in schools, the episode did not make me a lesser person. As an educator and a published author today, I draw on that experience to teach younger minds about the effectiveness of the strict discipline in the past. It definitely made me a better person.
Derek Wee
