Teacher in hot water for rating students who came to school late

[Dutch Baka]

Ok, I found this News article today, and was wondering about what you guys think of it.


Teacher in hot water for rating students who came to school late

KAWASAKI -- A local junior high school teacher is in hot water for rating students into five levels based on how often they come to school late, and putting up a list of the ratings in a school passageway.
The 48-year-old head second-year teacher at Kawasaki Municipal Nagasawa Junior High School apologized for his actions in a general student meeting on Tuesday.


The school's principal, Naoki Watanabe, regretted the incident. "I failed to sufficiently instruct the teacher. I'd like to explain the incident and apologize to the students and their parents."


The teacher rated students who came late for classes into five levels -- "yellow card," "red card," "warning their parents by telephone," "required to meet with the principal" and "going directly to hell."


Students who were the least late were ranked "yellow card" while those who came in late most frequently were ranked "going directly to hell."
Students who were rated in any of the levels were identified by name in a list that was put up in the school between September and December last year.


The principal did not warn the teacher on the grounds that his relations with students were good.
Nevertheless, the list was temporarily removed from the passageway when Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry bureaucrats inspected the school in November last year.


The list was returned to its original position after the government inspection. However, it was removed again in late December in response to a complaint by another teacher.



(Mainichi) (http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20070301p2a00m0na010000c.html)





I think that a coming late list isn't that bad, because coming on time is important in my opinion. Of course when you are late once a month I don't think you should be on the list, but I think there are enough kids whom are coming late once or twice a week and if they can learn to be more on time by giving cards than what's so bad about it?

(The "Straight to hell" card is a bit to much, but I don't see anything wrong with the yellow and red card)

[Goldiegirl]

I am going directly to hell. Oh well, just one more thing to get me there!

I do think that being late shouldn't be overlooked. Now and then sometimes there are unpredictable things that happen that do make you late. That's ok, that's life. If you are late once a week, that to me isn't acceptable. I think the wording was in poor taste, but I am not opposed to naming names and posting them.

[KirinMan]

Students who were rated in any of the levels were identified by name in a list that was put up in the school between September and December last year.

That is probably what got him in hot water in the first place. His mistake was posting the names.

Personally I applaud the guy for making an effort to get the kids to realize that they have to be responsible for their actions. I'm willing to bet some parent got their underwear crunched a bit too tight you know where in seeing their kids name posted on the board and pitched a hissy fit to the school and the board of education.

It does make a difference for some kids, really, in some places if a kid has seven unexcused tardies over the course of three years of JHS, even if they have perfect grades they have to study for the High School entrance exam. There are some kids, for those that didn't know, get direct entrance to the HS that they want to go to based on their JHS school record and an interview(suisen). Those kids dont have to go through "juken" hell.

I really have to hand it to the teacher for at least trying to wake the kids up to their responsibilities. The principal should have had more b**ls and stood up and defended his teacher for trying to educate these kids about what life is like in the "real" world.

[hideway]

Even if the teacher intentions are honorable, the list worked to some extent to humiliate the students that arrive too many times late to classes. And that's something that it's simply wrong.

[pipokun]

Along with Buddhism, the notion of hell was also influenced into the Japanese culture when you see some Buddhism paintings in the Kamakura era, you can find tons of works about hell, but hell in Japan, you can meet Ksitigarbha or Jizo to save your soul.

The students saved by Mainichi this time will see tougher hell after they start working, at least they will be paid less.

[KirinMan]

Even if the teacher intentions are honorable, the list worked to some extent to humiliate the students that arrive too many times late to classes. And that's something that it's simply wrong.
Just out of curiosity have you ever been in a Japanese school before, particularly a Junior High School?

From my experience I would say that it wasn't to humiliate the students, which by the way is a very strong word in Japanese 辱める, はずかしめる as opposed to what I think were his intentions, although I can not be sure because I do not know him and so I can only guess, which were to 恥ずかしい はずかしい, which is to embarrass, which I wouldn't doubt one bit.

I disagree that it was wrong from that point of view, I agree that to post the names was probably a privacy problem but you know if he had posted the exact same information in each individual students homeroom's I bet there wouldn't have been one word said against him.

Names and location jointly was the problem I'll bet but not the information that be put out there.

If you think about the terminology from Japanese and not from English you might find it pretty funny as well that he was telling the kids that they were going to 地獄, じごく, meaning hell if they didn't "shape" up and get to school on time. In a round about way the guy was right.

The students saved by Mainichi this time will see tougher hell after they start working, at least they will be paid less.

Now aint that a fact, I think someone else here sees the overall humour in this.

[hideway]

I've never been anywhere near Japan at all. Call it embarrass if you will as I have no idea how strong the translation to japanese is. After all it's only a matter of degree of intented efect on the students minds.

What is not acceptable is the fact that the teacher was using public exposure to inflict mental... embarassement (?) on the students. I don't doubt that his intention were good nor that he is a great teacher and that he's interested in his students (since otherwise he would simply not care about the situation) but I don't think he measured enough what he was doing.

[Kinsao]

I think it's a good idea. Why not embarrass persistent latecomers? It might actually get them to buck their ideas up a bit. :okashii:

I'm not sure about the privacy issue, since if the list was in a corridor it would still only be accessible to pupils and teachers at the school, but to avoid that problem it could be done in the individual homerooms anyway.

[KirinMan]

After all it's only a matter of degree of intented efect on the students minds.

Exactly, that's the point. Are you familiar with the compulsory education here? A bit of "embarrassing" just might, although I highly doubt it, wake some of these kids up for a moment or two.

[misa.j]

I had to sing in front of class in HS when I was late three days in a week...:okashii:
I'm pretty functional now although I doubt those punishments had anything to do with it.

[KirinMan]

Where I send my kids to school the policy regarding tardiness is as follows;

1st warning; 2nd detention; 3rd 1,000 yen fine; 4th 5,000, 5th 10,000
6th suspension; 7th termination from the school. (During any one semester of a given school year) (Excused tardiness is a different matter)

The problem with tardiness with which I agree, is not entirely the students fault but the parents fault for not getting their kids up and ready for school on time. All the parents at my children's school understand and agree with the policy.

Education is also a parents responsibility not just the schools.

I have very little sympathy for unexcused tardiness when it comes to JHS kids. They are old enough to know better, but are in most cases just too lazy to change.

[maushan3]

Even if the teacher intentions are honorable, the list worked to some extent to humiliate the students that arrive too many times late to classes. And that's something that it's simply wrong.

I know this was harsh, but I don't realize how kids could be so embarrased by their peers by being on some, say what you want, but, 'senseless' and pointless list.

I really don't know what this 'hell' is, but I would have taken it as a joke. Hey, he's got my props 'cause he actually wnats to make a difference, but he took it too far.

Mauricio

[respectable_canuck]

the guy stepped over the line...i can't imagine he asked permission or consulted with other staff...basically it can't be his responsibilty to reprimand kids ( and i'm guessing he got fed up with kids showing little respect for his "authoritai") . I'm sure he was quite pleased with his ingenuity...yes, beside himself with euphoric joy from taking the initiative to improve attendance...an elaborate display of passive aggressiveness...what a dunce!!

[KirinMan]

basically it can't be his responsibilty to reprimand kids

Actually it is "every" teacher's responsiblity to reprimand a child in a Japanese school. It doesn't matter if the student is yours or otherwise.

I'm sure he was quite pleased with his ingenuity..
On that I would agree.

what a dunce!!

On this I don't agree, like I wrote earlier, if he had posted the very same information in the respective students homerooms there would have been absolutely zero problems. It was just a matter of location.

I give the guy a ton of credit for at least trying to do something productive. Oh I shared this with a bunch of other teachers and the overwhelming majority agree that it was just a problem of location and probably timing. Not the information itself.

[Kirie_Maiden]

I agree that the names of the late students should not have been made public in any way, but he should have indeed made a list of the late students and passed it around the teachers, or displayed it in the teachers lounge. It should not have been placed where other students could see.

[Shiroi na Tenshi]

I am going directly to hell. Oh well, just one more thing to get me there!
I do think that being late shouldn't be overlooked. Now and then sometimes there are unpredictable things that happen that do make you late. That's ok, that's life. If you are late once a week, that to me isn't acceptable. I think the wording was in poor taste, but I am not opposed to naming names and posting them.

Does that mean there is an excuse to being late? Or does it mean that if you are not late you will never be destined for hell? Either way, I think that it's a terrible idea to rate people based upon their standards of promptness. It is true and undisputable that even though corporations look after their employees by helping them get to work by any means neccseary on time, also think about the employers from different places who, when the budget gets low and a cut needs to be made, will cut the least prompt ones from the company. I think that is an important thing to relay to kids rather than rate them on lateness and determine superiority and safety over other classmates.

[bakaKanadajin]

"Going to Hell" was probably just a joke on the teachers part, I severely doubt he actually thought tardiness = eternal damnation. If he'd just used something different like 'suspension' or something it would have never been an issue.

Poor guy just wanted to make sure his students didn't turn into slack-jawed NEETS or whatever those unemployed young ppl are called.

[marsans]

I don't think a list is that bad, It's just a coming late list, its not like all of their most recent test scores we're posted. I know in American and canadian schools no students would give a hoot whether you we're late or not. However, I don't have experience with Japanese schools, so maybe students tease people about that thing.

[EmperorHirohito]

Having a child of school age myself I do make certain that she gets to school on time, it has been drilled into her mind that if she cannot be bovvered to get to school on time, then when she is older and in employment will she be bovvered to get to work on time and not get the sack for regulary being late for work. I was taught at an early age that getting to school and attending classes on time gets you in the mind to get to work on time when you get older. It is part of growing up and learning the relevant skills needed in adult life.

As for the actions of this teacher I say he is correct in what he is doing, his methods may not be 100% correct but I agree with what he has done in principle. The public naming and shaming students who cannot be bovvered to get to class on time is one sure way of highlighting the modern problems that the education system has in most countries.

I hope that there are other teachers around the world who would do this sort of thing, maybe not the same way, as a way of combatting the current school age population who have been described as the 'Am I Bovvered' generation.

Mind you pigs might start flying before that happens...............

[KirinMan]

I think that is an important thing to relay to kids rather than rate them on lateness and determine superiority and safety over other classmates.

Then I take it you believe that kids can come and go as they please with regards to school and have no need to be responsible for their "timing" in appearing either in school or in class.

You do know what schools are for right? To prepare young minds to become productive members of society. One of the things that they need to learn is responsibility for their actions. The school and thereby the world would be in anarchy if people did not need to be reminded to be "on time".

Next time you need a dotor in the emergency room and he shows up 5 minutes late dont complain too loudly please, even if a loved one, heaven forbid dies.

These lessons come from compulsory education and stick with one for life.

[EmperorHirohito]

Ok if Children were allowed to attend class at school at their own choosing then I think this would be the outcome.

The majority of children may not be at school unless their parents force them to attend, classes could be half empty and thus schools would be half empty. If children leave school uneducated then as a workforce they are almost unemployable in this present world which is constanly changing. In order to get a decent job that is well paid, you need to have the qualifications needed for that job, that is the purpose of school.

And alot of schoolchildren do think that when they leave school that they can go straight into the job that they want and that they will get highly paid for it even if they have very few qualifications.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when the current generation leave school and suddendly have to wake up and see how wrong they are.

[KirinMan]

And alot of schoolchildren do think that when they leave school that they can go straight into the job that they want and that they will get highly paid for it even if they have very few qualifications.


Hell I know of kids today that think working at a convenience store making around 80,000 to 100,000 yen a month is "great" money.

They live at home, have no education, have no responsibilities other than work, quite their jobs when things get "rough" and then wonder why people wont hire them for higher paying positions.

Mmmm, all because they couldnt get their lazy butts out of bed and into school on time.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when the current generation leave school and suddendly have to wake up and see how wrong they are.

No need to be a fly on the wall, there are tons of kids out there now, wandering around wondering what they are going to do from now on.

Parents are also to blame as well, for not putting the effort into raising their children to learn to be responsible because it takes too much work.

[EmperorHirohito]

And Yes, I know loads of kids around here who want to do more or less the same thing. It will be one hell of a shock in the future when they get told 'Im sorry, We cant employ you as you are not qualified for the job'.

But I am glad in one thing, I do know what my daughter wants to do for a Career. She wants to do well at High School, go to College then hopefully University and study Drama in all aspects, and then follow the footsteps of my mother, grandmother and great-aunt, and become an actress.

Not all school children know what they want to do with their lives, at least I have one who does know and I will support her all the way if I can.

Mind you she is also a fairly good singer, if she trained properly she could be a Pop Star, just like another distant member of my family.

[Glenski]

I worked in a private JHS/SHS. The HS kids were given "yellow card" notice after showing up late 2 or 3 times. That meant that they were supposed to check in at the staff room by a certain time every morning for a week or 2 as a sort of penance/penalty. Not much of one, but it was something. Those that didn't do even this simple thing merely had to do it longer, but of course they got a "red card" status after too long, which meant a direct talking-to by their HR teachers.

Posting names is a breach of privacy. Why do you think he took it down when officials visited, only to repost it again? It's because he didn't want to get caught in such a breach. Schools nowadays aren't even supposed to use the faces of students in their brochures for the sake of privacy (my old school, anyway). Whether he meant the "go to hell" category as a joke or semi-serious remark, do you think the parents would have liked to have seen that about their kids? Someone here wrote that only students and teachers would have seen this list. Wrong! Schools are visited by sales people, parents (and other relatives), and other interested parties (like interview applicants, homestay organizations, etc.).

This was a rogue teacher, an anomaly, and a rarity. It should not have happened simply because of the otherwise group mentality here. He was actually taking a school policy into his own hands. If he felt the school didn't have a strong enough policy, he should have done something within the system to make it stronger. What he did was very much outside the realm of thinking for most Japanese.

[MummyMia]

firstly at our daughters school in england they get late slips and finally detention if the keep being late.

secondly I am a manager in a shop and the younger generation that are working for me are mostly terrible at time keeping, annoying the older members of the work force, causing conflict and an unhappy workplace. the attittude of the younger generation is "so what" they dont care if they keep their jobs or not and dont care who they upset in the process. The fact that teachers are not allowed to discipline pupils is deffinately having a bad effect on the teenagers now looking for work!!!!!!!! The slipper or the cane never hurt (mentally) anyone I know but at least we know how to respect our elders and what is right or wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EmperorHirohito]

Have just remembered last time my wife and I visited our daughters school concerning her academic review, there were names of various pupils scattered around the notice boards for various different reasons. So anyone coming into the school for any reason would be able to read this names of pupils without any problem, I think any student privacy is blown clear out of the water.

The fun part was reading about class attendence percentages, with every school class being listed from the best to the worst.