The need for discipline

By Eduardo V. Lugue
Principal I-Jose Escaler Memorial School
San Juan, Apalit, Pampanga

THE Philippine government is spending a huge amount of taxpayers' money for public elementary schools throughout the country. Billions of pesos are being spent for constructing and repairing classrooms, teachers' salaries and millions of textbooks so that children will become literate.

Education is expensive. Schools are created for the people to acquire knowledge, skills, desirable habits and attitudes.

In schools, lessons start with character education so that pupils may acquire and practice good traits. Discipline is a must so that citizens will not act as wild beasts in the forest.

Children are taught how to behave properly. To build mental discipline, children are taught to observe regular student habits. They have to acquire the basic communication skills in order to become fast learners.

Discipline also includes memorizing facts, poems and other vital information aside from doing homework, listening and following direction, answering comprehension questions and answering tests with all honesty.

There are also other things that need to be observed like attending classes regularly, participating or cooperating in cleaning the classroom and school compound, taking a bath daily, doing house hold chores, taking care of books and other school supplies.

Many believe that parents play a vital role in disciplining their children at home. Home is the first school and the parents are the first teachers. If possible, they should set themselves as good examples or role models for good manners and right conduct. After all, children unconsciously imitate their parents.

Discipline involves understanding, loving, trusting, respecting one another. In school, the teacher is also a surrogate parent who must enforce discipline so the pupils will learn to observe appropriate behavior.

A teacher needs to be consistent in his or her disciplinary pattern. There is a variety of signals that can be used to communicate approval or disapproval. Examples of signals are eye contact, hand gestures, facial expressions, snapping fingers, clearing one's throat, and other body gestures.

Keep the pupils busy with schoolwork so there will be less chance for them to become bored or mischievous. It is necessary to deal with wild behavior right away so that it will not turn into a serious problem.

Children should be trained to become obedient and responsible persons so that when they grow up they will become virtuous adults who are very much sought-after because of their remarkable job performance and character.

Finally, discipline means overcoming fear, anger, jealousy, laziness, and self-centeredness with love, cooperation, self-confidence, trust, and concern. Then there is no more need for punishment.