Children today cannot take criticism

KOCHI: : The need for a better student-teacher relationship and working partnership of parent and teacher for the overall development of a child surfaces yet again as a teacher of St Mary’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai was stabbed to death by a Class IX student.Schools are second homes for children, where they should grow up healthy with love, care, security and required freedom, especially for single children of working parents from nuclear families.“This is a wake up call for all. Now-a-days, children are so used to bouquets and compliments that they can’t stand criticism. The best thing to teach them is the power of resilience and accept correction in a positive way. Children should get space for dialogue, a space to share instead of resorting to weapons. When we notice that a child is going through a bad phase, he or she should be evaluated, said Lakshmi Ramachandran, dean, Global Public School, Kochi.“The incident is a warning that with changes in the lifestyle, healthy student-teacher bonding is deteriorating. Earlier teachers were respected and worshipped for they commanded it as they elevated themselves to the position of a mentor. Even when they rebuked or were angry, students were made to understand that it was for their own good. Such deterring forces or mechanisms are missing today. Teachers have to motivate and inspire,” said Dr C J John, psychiatrist,  Medical Trust Hospital, Ernakulam.There are cases where parents protect their ward and cannot stand criticism by even teachers. “It has come to a point where students can’t stand criticism, teachers can’t stand criticism and students can’t stand criticism,” he said.“Children should not be pampered beyond a limit,” said Fr Giltan, director, Don Bosco Childline Centre, Kochi. “Teachers are on the vulnerable side as some of them are afraid of reporting against students,” he said. Children should be guided to accept failure and use that experience for success in the next attempt.