is a 16-year veteran teacher, who heads aesthetics department in Canberra Primary School .Cut the story short, during the October 2007 PSLE Tamil paper exams , she had illegally made corrections to her students paper - 17 corrections in one student's essay alone- and as a results she was charged with 3 corruption charges and 5 more being considered .
Why she did that ?
Her main argument was that by doing so, her students would be able to score high marks . The school will then benefit from this - they get good results . Her school standing and image will then be boosted .
While her cause was noble to many , the legal system here doesn't bat an eyelid to such basis for actions . She was sentenced to 2 months jailed recently...
Being a teacher, an epitome of integrity and admirable character , it would be difficult to envision myself doing the same . How many students can she help ? Why did she helped only a few students ? Would it make a difference to the overall PSLE performance to the school ? Is Tamil paper that difficult to score ? And many more questions lingers in my mind . . . . . .
However, perhaps some overwhelming emotional and psychological stress made her overcome her "conscience". She had some miscarriages prior to the incidence, and may have tried to show an overly protective maternal instinct to protect her students , in this case, from failing. Any mother will do anything to save her brood from harm - perhaps thats the main drive . . . .
The legal system here prosecutes to exemplify that such acts are never tolerated - especially amongst teachers . I wonder ... what if it was done by other professions ? WHat or how would they approach the issue ?
As a teacher, she is supposed to be a good role model for the students! Doesn't she realize that by doing this, it will only make people doubt the integrity of the teachers in the educational system?
ReplyDeleteAs an educator, she should have not carried out the act of cheating. In fact, she should have held on to her integrity and maintain the fact that the students must based on their own capabilities to excel and not through cheating. In so doing, she is sending the wrong message to her students and colleagues that cheating is right because the interest lies in the performance of the school and the students.
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