Page 4 - An Ideal Teacher
P. 4
there is Mass in the school chapel The learners
instead of the first period. Learners get There are
demerits for lateness, rudeness, not approximately
having the correct school uniform, and 300 learners at
not doing homework. Demerits occur Maryvale High
at the teacher’s discretion. Learners School. Most grades comprise of two
get detention for every five demerits in classes each, and there are between 28
their homework books. Every week and 38 learners in a class. The learners
there is a ‘consolidation’ period where come from different places in
the homeroom teacher adds up each Johannesburg, and different socio-
learner’s demerits and tells them if they economic and family backgrounds.
have detention that week. An ideal Most of the school population is made
teacher does not rely on punitive up of Black Africans, and there are
measures to make sure learners behave some Indian learners there. There are
appropriately – punitive measures learners who come from other
should be a last resort after countries as well, such as Zimbabwe,
understanding the situation, making Malawi and the Congo. I spoke to a
his/her expectations known and trying learner who is officially Congolese (but
to find a way to empower the learner has always lived in South Africa), and I
to succeed. understood that even amongst the
youth in our country there is a real
element of fear and isolation among
non-South African citizens. As teachers,
it is our duty and responsibility to instill
