What is the significance of rules in a school? Why do students follow these rules? Why were rules created? Who set them?
These questions probe into the purpose and effectiveness of rules implemented in schools. While these rules mostly prohibit petty “crimes” such as forgetting to clear plates during recess, arriving at school late, etc., many students simply do as they wish and think nothing of getting a “harmless demerit point”.
It has been a long-standing tradition for teachers / principals / discipline masters to set rules and punishments as and when they like, whenever they see something wrong. This method of rule-setting seems to place students with no opportunity to suggest better alternatives or have any say at all in the decision of setting a rule, to begin with. As such, this brings about ideas on the lines of “rules are meant to be bent” – rules are now seen as simply a hindrance and has little support or even agreement from the students. Which leads to rules no longer fulfilling their intended purpose – instead of shaping the school's order and nurturing an intuitive and cohesive learning environment, they invoke disrespect from the students and by extension, invokes a loss of interest in education.
In order for us to solve this issue, we should find the root cause – what is causing the students to disrespect the rules and refuse to abide by them? Because the rules are simply forced on them – they have no say in the decisions.
Which leads me to my point – students should be allowed to set their own rules. By allowing students to govern their own discipline and think of feasible methods of discouraging students from committing the offense. Even if it still boils down to the same rules, the rules are from the students and for the students – so naturally the students should make an effort to be disciplined and maintain order in the school, not just to adhere to the school rules.
Of course, as with any other student-led “projects”, there is bound to be people who either see a golden opportunity to do whatever they like or are simply trying to make fun of this concept of allowing students to set their own rules – they bring forth rules which allow eating in class, going to school late, cutting queues during recess, etc. These are the limitations of having such policies, but are easily dealt with, simply by ensuring that a teacher is present during discussions to put an end to ridiculous suggestions. Just like that.
Would you feel more motivated and supportive of rules which you have a say in and play a part in the decision-making process, or just play along with whatever the discipline board throws at you?
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