Dear Reader,

I noticed the dark rings around her eyes and she signed that she had been really worried about her 13-year-old who was not excelling in school. So, I invited her for a late-night coffee just to see how I could help.

Very quickly, I knew the assurance from many parents to me that 'nowadays, schools have changed and become better' is not really true as I listened to some of her stories.

(1) The boys in the class are not allowed to go to the toilet when the teacher is teaching. There is a 'dedicated' time to do their urgent business. (I am appalled) (2) The teachers would call up and complain that the child was disruptive in the classroom, to the point that she really hated the phone ringing in the morning.

It brings back memories of Sunshine Boy in class. I remember his teacher complained to me that he was so disruptive in class, that the teacher really didn't want him there and he was not allowed to go into the classroom. So in the end, I took him to the university classroom I taught in and had him sit among my students, just to observe him. To my surprise, he could ask questions and raise his hands before he did so. He could also share his point of view about what other participants presented in class.

At the end of the class, my teaching assistant wrote an email to tell me how impressed she was with him. But this 10-year-old's exact behavior in the P4 GEP classroom he was in was not well received. The teacher complained about him disturbing her 'flow' in teaching the class.

What on earth is a flow when teaching in a classroom? I could not comprehend. The classroom is a constantly changing environment and don't we, as educators have to adapt along the way?

It is shocking to me that teachers work to protect this 'flow' at all expense, including stopping children from peeing or raising their hands to ask questions.

How can this be healthy for both the teachers and the students?

I tried to empathize with the teachers, especially if they think that this is the only way to meet their KPI, which must be, to deliver coursework that will ensure good academic results.

But does rushing to complete the curriculum on time really boost the students' academic results? Maybe 20 years ago.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, it has become increasingly apparent that the traditional classroom where the teacher is the transmitter of knowledge is facing challenges from new and innovative sources. One such challenge is the rise of digital platforms, where world-class star teachers can deliver engaging and informative courses through mediums like YouTube and social media in a far more succinct and engaging manner than most school teachers.

Next, students today are digital natives, growing up in an era where technology is seamlessly integrated into their daily lives (including watching from an iPad in a hawker centre). They are accustomed to accessing information quickly and efficiently online. As a result, they often find learning from digital platforms more engaging and interactive, making it a preferred mode of instruction.

In contrast, the traditional classroom setting can sometimes leave students feeling bored or disengaged, as the pedagogical methods employed may not align with their accustomed ways of learning and acquiring information. This disconnect can lead to a lack of enthusiasm and a reduced willingness to participate actively in classroom activities.

Why then, would a teenager listen carefully to a teacher in class for an hour rather than watching a Tiktok video for 2 minutes to gain the same required knowledge?

While some teachers have started to integrate such modes of instruction into the classroom, it is more than that. Teachers may want to shift their focus from being mere instructors to becoming inspirational figures in their students' lives. The role of an educator extends beyond the transmission of knowledge; it includes guiding, mentoring, and inspiring students to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers.

When teachers prioritize inspiration over mere instruction, they can motivate students to explore, question, and discover knowledge independently, which suit today's environment far better.

So here's why teachers should really stop focusing on teaching and sacrificing the relationship with their students in doing so. I believe the teacher-student relationship is so precious and life-changing that we should protect it, safeguarding the bond that can inspire, mentor, and guide students on their educational journey and beyond. I also believe what students lack these days are real-life inspirational figures who challenge them to go greater heights, and not adults who say no to them every step of the way.

Afterall, if you reflect upon which course you did the best in, would it be the one where the teacher stopped you from going to the toilet, or the course taught by the teacher who inspired you the most, the one you wanted to go an extra mile for because you really want to impress and not disappoint her? Which teacher do you remember? That hero-teacher or that teacher with the best teaching flow?

Teachers and us educators have a far more impactful job in our society than just teaching.

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Best Regards,

Pamela