The incidents of suicide committed by some school students in the recent weeks were shocking. One of the students who committed suicide was 13-year-old Muhammad Umar of Yaseenabad, Faisalabad, while the other was a 12-year-old Abdul Mubeen of Abbottabad. Both students allegedly committed suicide due to the pressure exerted by their respective teachers. When teachers indulge in undesirable treatment and put too much pressure on their students then their role not only becomes questionable, but they are in violation of their profession.
Our education system is based on teachers’ domineering behaviour. That kind of behaviour suppresses the students’ skills and discourages the student’s potential to develop. It instils fear in them and that in turn creates complexes in them. Beyond a certain degree, too much pressure can cause almost anyone to collapse under it. The recent suicides of students are a proof that our education system needs a major overhaul. Our teachers should be trained to give up coercive behaviour and instead adopt that practice of positive feedback and encouragement.
Salman Ayyaz
Lahore