Most students have had an encounter with an angry teacher at some point in their lives. But if CBSE’s new initiative works, the frequency of such incidents might reduce in the future. CBSE has petitioned all the schools affiliated with it to transform their premises into anger-free zones for the sake of children’s mental health.
Anger stresses children, which in turn, affects the development of their growing brain. Most cases of mental illness can be traced back to an unsafe atmosphere in a person’s childhood.
Most children model their behavior after adults, and their teachers and parents, are the most influential people in their lives. If they see the adults constantly raging about something, they’ll become hot-tempered people when they grow up. So, it was pleasing to read about the steps CBSE is taking to eradicate such problematic behavior. I wish this happened during my time as a school student.
Details About The Initiative
On December 23, CBSE sent a letter to its schools and directed them to add a daily period for health and physical education. Yoga and meditation are to be encouraged to help with anger management.
CBSE has also asked schools to promote this latest endeavor on social media and record their experience by using the #cbsenoanger. The board has instructed schools to install placards with the message “This is an Anger-Free Zone” in the reception area and other strategic locations in their campus.
According to CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi, “In the anger-free zone, everyone will try to manage his or her anger, whether it is the school educators, parents, school personnel or other stakeholders. The best way to teach children the value of ‘freedom from anger’ is by setting examples ourselves.”
Tripathi adds, “Making our schools anger-free zones will help our students in developing effective skills and in eradicating emotions like fear, disrespect, humiliation and hurt, which are the by-products of anger”
Emphasis has been given on creating a joyful environment, through the means of sports and art-integrated activities.
Teachers have been advised to avoid looking at their cellphones and genuinely smile at their students.
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Different Reactions
KK Kunjachan, principal of St Karen’s Secondary School, said, “This will help the student in developing effective skills. It is a welcome step.”
Rajiv Ranjan Sinha, principal of Baldwin Academy states, “Our aim is to talk to students calmly and listen to their problems. We hope to find out solutions to their problems by cooperating with them. Besides, the school will also be taking steps to counsel teachers and parents so that they can reach out to the students and help them in anger management.”
Many others have shown admiration towards CBSE’s decision and called it a ‘noble intention’.
However, some parents are concerned that this initiative will result in their children becoming recalcitrant.
Rakhi Sharma is one such parent, she said, “Children lack discipline. If teachers will not be allowed to get angry, how children will be disciplined? I am worried what will happen to children in the future?”
Laxmi Hinduja is another parent who is skeptic about this mission, she states, “Imagine a child misbehaving and a teacher urging him to listen to her without being angry. It sounds unrealistic.”
Still, there are parents like Shawez Sheikh. She is glad that her child won’t be terrified of her teachers anymore. She applauded this move as it supports her child’s positive well-being.
Chances Of Success
For this program to work, all the concerned parties -teachers and parents- must actively follow through on their duties.
Some teachers often humiliate students by singling out a child and screaming about his/her/their incompetence in front of the whole class. This only makes children more resentful.
I have even witnessed incidents where teachers have castigated innocent students due to personal reasons, unrelated to the child’s education. I am aware that anger is one of the basic human emotions, and even the most patient people lash out at some point.
However, people (teachers, especially) should be calm and collected where children are concerned. Teachers need to understand that scaring children into submission, is not a useful teaching technique.
People still dismiss the importance of mental health. Even parents underestimate the impact of harsh words on their children. They consider such scolding to be important for ‘beating their kids into shape’. However, it is highly unlikely that attacks to self-esteem serve this purpose.
Therefore, parents and teachers must realize the importance of this project The good news is, more and more people are grasping the concept of how anger can be a dangerous catalyst that affects young minds severely.
Hence, teachers are being asked to use a milder tone and choose their words carefully when addressing their students.
Teachers seem to be enthusiastic about it, so if they diligently follow through, the probability for this initiative to be successful is high.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Hindustan Times, Times Of India, India Today
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