Whats fair? Whats unfair?

This is a post I am reluctant to make. As the following will be my own opinion, and may or may not be shared with my fellow professionals in the education line.

A few weeks ago, a student brought up to my attention that they felt that I was being biased against some of the naughtier students in the class. By nature's natural selection, these students happen to be poor in the subject that I teach them too.

As a teacher, it all seemed very simple. My job is to groom my students' Values first then their Academics. Good students who listen and do their work and can achieve results, I have no need to call on them to check, I will however use the opportunity to call on the weaker students to answer questions from time to time to make sure they are with me in the Class room and not with their minds floating elsewhere.

Another group that I will frequently pay attention to are those who always talk to or disturb those students who are weak.

Now if at this point, there is a sour taste in your throat and you feel that Mr Low's world is unfair, let me put it into perspective for you. Try organising a Class T shirt in your class, and getting everyone to agree on one colour of T Shirt. Dealing with 40 people is not an easy task. It is impossible, I wouldnt even say near impossible. It is impossible for everyone to agree that a decision or an action is fair or unfair, good or not good etc. Thus I believe that as long as the learning takes place and that I stand true to my own values, ( which is to groom my students into fine young men and ladies ) , then it is ok.

So two incidents happened in my classes. One with the Sec 2s, and one with the Sec 3s. Both students felt that I picked on them and that I treat the good students better. Of course I explained my rationale to them. At that point, they seem to understand.

However, what is sad is that one of them dont seem to remember. And on my part, I feel reluctant to check on the student again when I am in that class. (Naturally, in an attempt on my part to be sensitive.) But when I am alone and I reflect upon that, I wonder if I am doing the student more harm than good? Yearly I do get new batches of students to try out my different teaching styles, but for any particular student, they only get one shot at exams.

Greatly troubled, I ventured out to grab students whenever and wherever I can to paint them the scenario to get their feedback.

My question to them at the start of the story was, "Do you think that things are fair in this world?" Most will reply "no". Then I will give them the story and ask them if they think teachers should be fair or at least try to be fair to everyone. Most will reply "yes".

And my last question will stump majority of them. "Then whose job is it, to educate our students that the world is not a fair place, and we have to think of solutions to just make the best out of the situations presented to us?"

In school, we reprimand, we counsel, if need be, we discipline students in a attempt to guide them on a "good" path. Who in the working world would be so kind to guide you?

Society has its own way of "punishing" the "bad" workers.

Eg: Politics leading to a unenjoyable working environment.
( In this category, it ranges from "ganging" up at work places to unwilingness to help or simply "sabo-ing" or giving unfavourable employees a difficult time.)

Job Termination (Painful but Quick)

One adult told me that because our students are still at a young age, we must be as fair as possible simply because teenagers are unable to grasp that concept. Well, true. But I beg to differ on the part that we are not, or cannot, be the ones to guide them to the "real world".

I personally find it difficult to work in an "unfair" environment. My mind will always come up with ways and means of a confrontation with the respective people in charge to suggest solutions to make things "fair".

Now I wonder if it was my own "fair" education that made me turn out this way.


Cheers Folks, and have a Happy Chinese New Year.