Hive Learners

Power Comes With Responsibility

While thinking about the misuse of power I recall an incident relating to one of my maths teachers. Personally I have never understood what it was that he took such a particular interest in me. He wanted us all to solve the mathematical problems in a certain way. However, I often liked to take a different approach. As long as I could understand a problem and get to the correct answer I saw no issue with doing things my way. Like if I can solve a sum easily why should I follow a critical method? Yet, it seems that this was unacceptable in my teachers eyes.

He would demoralize me and tell me that I would fail in my examinations. Going to school to learn and the constant criticism from the teacher that I would fail in my examinations was quite demotivating. He did not attempt to help me understand where I was going wrong.

It is ironic that almost everyone in my school had a private tutor and that almost all of them were his students. However, the unique position that I occupied was that I had my own tutor who taught me maths. I always felt that he resented me for not being one of his private students. Perhaps, it is wrong of me to think so but it is the feeling that I have had all the time. It seemed that he resented the fact that I was not one of his students and that I took classes from someone else

I used to wonder if he took such a great interest in my studies just because I was not one of his students. Was it really necessary to belittle me. Did it not matter to him if I actually understood the subject or not?

It was truly frustrating that he was my teacher. Well, students are expected to show a measure of respect to their teachers. We cannot always openly defy them even when we feel that they are in the wrong. And, a single word from them can make us feel that we are the most miserable creatures on earth. It is this power that teachers have that I feel has been misused in my case.

I am not saying that teachers should not have power or position. If my method of solving a sum was wrong he was perfectly within his rights to correct me. But the method I was using wasn't wrong at all and the answers were correct.

I don't understand what is the point of being a teacher if one is only going to make students feel miserable? We are students and it is perfectly normal for us to make mistakes. However, I do not think that it is fair to make us feel that we are dumb.

I think it is possible for a teacher to criticize without being cruel. Like you can correct without breaking a person's spirit, right?

I don't think power should not give someone the privilege to decide what another can or cannot achieve. A teacher's job is to encourage his students and to make them feel confident about what they are capable of. It is not a licence for them to keep reminding students that they will always fail.

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Thanks for reading 🌷

Comments · 4

@indiaunited(71)· 2d
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@maryjacy(69)· 2d
In my opinion, it’s not right to condemn your student work just because he/she did not follow the same method. As long as the answer is correct and the method used is valid, I believe it should be accepted. After all, mathematics can be solved using different methods.

Just like you said, probably she’s trying to frustrate you because of the reason you mentioned, probably you should consider reporting the issue to someone higher up in the school, because of the threats of failing you.
@sunshine29(75)· 2d
That was a critical resentment. He has no power to do that because he is not eating from your pocket.

That is the part of corruption that kept our society in where they are today. They totally sold their consciences to the devil 👿
@pandex(47)· 2d
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