My son studies at a Chinese primary school in Cheras. Two pupils, one a Malay girl, have been punished by their class teacher and made to sit on the floor for months, while the others look on, some laughing, but many more feeling sorry for them, my son being one of these.

To punish pupils to this extent for so-called laziness is not right as there are many reasons why a pupil might not be able to complete his homework on time. Perhaps he is unable to keep up with his peers and has no one to guide him at home.

I don’t know whether asking students of a primary school to sit on the floor for months is the only way to punish them for failing to complete their homework, but I am very sure that it will affect their confidence, self-esteem, self-respect and dignity after being laughed at or being the object of sympathy.

In this context, I think the school has failed to maintain the basic right of every child to self-respect and dignity.

After a copy of a letter of complaint on the matter to the Public Complaints Bureau was given to the headmaster of the school, the girl was on the same day, granted a chair to sit on, permanently or temporarily, I do not know; but the boy continues to sit on the floor.

This is the attitude and stand of the school even after a parent steps in to complain.

I have done my part and my best as a parent to lodge a complaint after my son told me about the experience of his peers, his eyes brimming with tears.

On behalf of my son
Kajang

Source: The Sun – August 4, 2008