re: denman:school uniform policy chaos
Denman, you want the kids (and teachers, I presume) to focus on learning. Couldn't agree with you more. The uniform, as you see by this example alone, becomes quite a terrible distraction in many other ways also. I've through all this with my kids. What would you rather have a teacher say to his Year 9 student: "Good morning Johnny, how's things?" OR "Johnny, I'm sick of telling you to wear your tie properly; and tuck your shirt in! Look at those socks! Dreadful! Simply dreadful! I don't know when you kids are going to learn discipline! Can't you take a leaf out Yak Junior, here? Look at him! He's perfectly dressed. Give me your diary please. I'm going to write a note to your mother and I want her to write me a response to it. Understood? First thing tomorrow morning!"
Get the picture?
In the first example, student and teacher have a friendship upon which a comfortable trust can be based. The student would not be intimidated by the teacher and he'd be able to approach him for things he doesn't understand. The teacher, too, would prefer to have just that sort of relationship, not only with the student but also with the parents, his siblings, the Principal... it all radiates outwards.
Let's get rid of abstractions and distractions. Let's just be supportive, exchanging knowledge rather than disseminating austere dogmas. Let all that die with Stalin.
And, of course, you could avail the student of choice. S/he may or may not want to wear a uniform -and any uniform s/he may choose.
Countries with schoolchildren not wearing uniforms are no worse or better off than those who do.
It ain't the uniform baby but what's inside the skull and the heart!
