This is with reference to the editorial "Teacher-Student conflicts must be resolved in schools - The Goan Everyday 4 February 2023." You had touched upon a sensitive, yet important topic, presenting a good overview of teacher-student relationship. Yes, the teacher-student relationship is a delicate issue and must be handled with care as it can make or break the future of the child. As the editorial states, a negative teacher-student relationship is unhealthy for the academic environment because it scars the student's psychological and mental health and affects educational outcomes. But yes, certain amount of discipline is necessary as it helps the students' development. Times have changed however, since the time we elders have been to school. We have endured all sorts of punishment, either for our own mischief or perhaps on account of other students. The cane & the duster were like terror objects in the hands of the teacher or the principal. We need to find new and more sympathetic ways of dealing with students. What is needed is building up a friendly relationship between the teachers & students from the initial stages itself and creating a bonding among students. 'Spare the rod and spoil the child', it is said, but we need is to spare the rod and spare the child too. Striking a fair balance and counselling could perhaps help.
