Topical Teaching

I couldn’t disagree more with the opinions expressed in Susie O’Brien’s column today. Allowing teachers to touch students, even innocently, is a step backwards. Every day we read news articles of teachers who have misused the privilege of working with kids and have overstepped the boundaries. It’s because of the evil minority that continue to heap shame on our wonderful profession, that these regulations are vital.

The rules that restrict teachers from hugging and touching our students without justifiable cause are not about political correctness, they are about common sense.  They exist to protect students, but in doing so, they also protect teachers from false accusations. I agree that it’s a sad state of affairs that I am obliged to keep my door open when having a private meeting with a student, but isn’t that a small price to pay for transparency?

I find Ms. O’Brien’s intimation that I can’t provide my students with the same standard of care due to the fact that I don’t touch them quite upsetting:

WHY can’t teachers touch kids any more? It used to be that teachers had total control over the children in their care.

But they could also hug them, comfort them, and even check their hair for nits.

With the advent of political correctness, everything changed.

Teachers should be able to judge for themselves what contact is appropriate in any situation.

If we think any teacher lacks the ability to make such judgments, then they shouldn’t be in front of our classrooms.

For instance, take a look at the rules imposed on teachers in this state by the Victorian Institute of Teaching, which is the professional regulation body.

Their code of conduct says teachers are violating their professional relationships when they touch a student without a valid reason.

It’s a bit depressing that it’s come to this.

The code says teachers can touch students, but goes on to say it is a “difficult issue for teachers in the present climate”.

Apparently, teachers can touch students for comfort, guidance or acknowledgment, but not for any other reason.

And teachers are not meant to have any meeting with a student alone with their door closed.

It seems a pretty sad state of affairs.

As sad as it is that the evil few spoil it for the majority, these rules are vital. They protect teachers and students alike.