Posts Tagged ‘Japanese boy suicide’

You Don’t Fight Bullying With More Bullying

July 11, 2012

People are entitled to feel very angry at the school that reportedly allowed a young Japanese boy to be bullied to the point of suicide. But it is incredibly important that the anger is expressed in a non-threatening way.

Firstly, those concerned should call for disciplinary measures for all those involved (including students, staff and administrators).

Next, they should be encouraging their children and close friends to speak out against bullying whenever they find themselves to be bystanders.

Finally, they should take an interest in how their local schools deal with bullying situations.

One thing they should not do is threaten the school. This course of action is tantamount to dealing with bullying by becoming the bully:

THE suicide of a 13-year-old boy in central Japan has sparked a series of bomb threats against his school.

Threats have also been made against the local government over claims of negligence in the case, police said.

The boy’s death has snowballed into a national scandal amid reports that bullies routinely forced him to “practice” killing himself before he took his own life, and that his teacher brushed off the abuse as a joke.

A letter sent to the boy’s school in Shiga prefecture threatened that the building would be bombed unless the pupils and teachers involved apologise, local authorities said.

Click here to read my post ‘Child Commits Suicide Due to Alleged Systematic Bullying and Inept Teachers’.

One of the Most Important Responsibilities of a Teacher

July 11, 2012

In light of the terrible story involving a Japanese child who committed suicide due to being victim of systematic bullying, I think it is worth focusing on the role of teacher in a bullying situation.

There were reports in that story that the teachers laughed as bullies tried to choke the victim. That reaction is certainly not an accurate reflection of how most teachers would react in a similar circumstance. But it does hone in on an underrated skill – the role of teacher as supervisor.

I have argued before that teachers have got to improve their supervision skills. At recess and in the classroom, they must be alert to any bullying that may exist. There have been too many incidents of bullying that have occurred in the playground at a time when teachers should have been supervising.

Readers have defended these teachers by claiming that they are so overburdened with responsibilities that one can not expect teachers to be as alert as if they were given a lighter workload.

It may be true that teachers are overworked – but this responsibility is crucial.

When my child goes to school I entrust her teachers with something I have no control over. Sure I want them to teach her well, but if they failed to do so I could always address the shortfall myself. The one thing I have no control over is her health and safety during the day (both physical and emotional).

Teachers must improve their alertness during recess supervision. They must be aware of the social dynamics of their students and any problems that may exist. I would much rather my daughter’s teacher be a brilliant supervisor than a brilliant planner or classroom decorator.

Click on the link to read my post, “Child Commits Suicide Due to Alleged Systematic Bullying and Inept Teachers.”