Research among 1,001 children aged 11 to 16 by the Anti-Bullying Alliance suggests worrying numbers of children see adults setting a bad example.
Children in that age group highlighted adults who behaved poorly to each other face-to-face, online or in the media.
Some 97% said they would like to see more respect shown between grown-ups.
The survey is published ahead of the annual charity push against bullying, Anti-Bullying Week, which begins on Monday, November 12.
It comes after many reports of a bullying culture in numerous high-profile workplaces in England, including the Palace of Westminster
‘Show respect’
Martha Evans, director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: “Children look to parents and other grown-ups for a blueprint of acceptable behaviour.
“If a considerable number of children say they see adults bullying and being disrespectful to each other, we have to ask whether grown-ups could do more to act as role models to children.
Rewards don’t improve school attendance
It’s the back-to-school season – and many young people may be feeling reluctant about returning for the start of another academic year. Many schools there are deliberate attempts to boost attendance by giving rewards, school prizes and commendations to those who have the best records for not missing any lessons.
But do such prizes really change behaviour?
According to a large-scale study of secondary school students in California in the US, awards for good school attendance seem to make no significant difference – and in some circumstances, could make absenteeism worse.
The study, published by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Massachusetts, examined the effect of rewards schemes on more than 15,000 students in 14 school districts in California.
‘Demotivating’
Researchers, including Carly Robinson, found that if prizes were promised in advance, it made no difference to whether pupils attended.
If the rewards were retrospective, in recognition of high levels of attendance, it seemed to have a negative impact on the winners’ future school attendance.
Full article: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45326487
Worries, as more Nigerian undergraduates commit suicide…
On Monday, an undergraduate of the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Aduba Daniel, reportedly committed suicide by drinking a deadly insecticide known locally as ‘Sniper’.
Daniel was found writhing in pain and immediately rushed to a hospital in the Amassoma area, where it was realised that he had drunk the whole bottle. Also, it was discovered that the deceased had carry-overs in four courses and this must have led him to take his own life.
The incident, as sad as it is, is the latest among several cases of suicide recorded in Nigerian universities between 2017 and 2018.
In October, 2017, a16-year old 100-level student of Microbiology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Miss Mercy Afolaranmi, allegedly took her own life by drinking rat poison mixed with battery extracts. The reason given for Afolaranmi’s suicide by sources close to her was “emotional pressure.”
Full article : http://punchng.com/worries-as-more-nigerian-undergraduates-commit-suicide/
Student sues UNIABUJA, seeks N100m damages
A legal practitioner and civil rights activist, Anthony Ejumejowo, has dragged the University of Abuja to a Federal Capital Territory High Court, over the delay in the supervision of his Master’s degree in Law project by a lecturer in the institution, Dr Lawrence Chukwu.
Ejumejowo said the absence and unavailability of the supervisor did not only stall the progress of his research work, but it also delayed the conclusion of his academic work over 14 months since the conclusion of the 2015/16 academic session.
Source : Punch
If you must flog, don’t do that when you are provoked.
The sudden death of Mrs Makachi Rita, a teacher at Starlight Secondary School, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, after receiving strokes of the cane from the angry parent of one of her students, has continued to generate mixed reactions.
The deceased, a class mistress in charge of Senior Secondary School (SSS1) was said to have flogged a female student over negligence of assigned duty as well as insubordination.
In view of the ugly development, some teachers have said they would rather respond to students’ inappropriate behaviour through other punitive measures than caning them.
A teacher in one of public schools in the state, who simply identified herself as Ulunma, said it would be a folly for any teacher to continue flogging students after the pathetic story of their late colleague, Mrs Rita.
Source : DailyTrust
TSC deregisters teachers for negligence, having sex with students
The Teachers Service Commission has banned more than 41 teachers from working over misconduct.
Chief executive Nancy Macharia said the deregistered teachers will not be allowed to teach in any school in Kenya – whether it is public or private.
DEREGISTERED
Forty of the banned teachers are male.
Reasons given for their deregistration range from desertion of duty, having sexual relationships with students, insubordination, negligence, exam cheating and embezzlement.
Source :Nation