Write a short essay of about 300 words on the following question:
'Students should be given more freedom in deciding school rules.' What are your views?
Freedom. The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint, the basic rights of all human beings, as stated by political leaders and the United Nations. Freedom should be enjoyed at any one time, at any place, by anybody. Everyone wants it nowadays; it has become a norm to see many people demanding for it. However, schools are lately becoming like a totalitarian regime, where ground rules set the limits that students can reach by mischief. To be good educational institutions, schools should implement their rules in a correct and proper way such that they do not overly restrain the student. If only the school administration changes the school rules, then this is not helping the students at all as they do not modify the rules towards the students' self interests. Thus, students should be allowed to take part in this amendment as they can fully understand what is best for them and modify the rules to improve their holistic development. If this policy of allowing the students to make their own decisions implements, then students will have much more freedom than before, so they will not complain as much as before.
School rules nowadays can be considered as rigid, which do not cleave to the students' palate. For example, students are not very happy with the fact that they have to wear the same, plain uniform every single day for the whole year and for years after, until they finally graduate. Students will get very bored and sick of wearing the same thing over and over again. What's more, the uniforms are usually not made of very good material such as silk or cashmere, so the students might complain of discomfort, heat and the like. Thus, the schools rules should be modified a little to encompass what the students really need, which in this case is to allow them to wear home clothes to school. They are more comfortable in home clothes, and if this enhances their learning, why not? Universities, colleges and polytechnics all give this freedom to the students. If they can do so, why can't primary and secondary schools follow suit? This is also a test on whether the school is a good school. If the school relents and gives permission, this shows that the school really cares for the students. This quality gives it an advantage over other schools so it can attain a high standard of education.
Corporal punishment has squeezed its way to the top of the students’ “Good riddance” list. Although it is still acceptable in Singapore and many countries, but students should not be treated so harshly at such a tender young age. There are other ways of solving the problem, such as counseling, scolding or even detention. If everything fails, then it would be the ripe time to report it to the police to handle the case. Before that, schools should not take action and cane or suspend the student. Although this is a very effective method of dealing with the student, this would also leave a black mark on his record, and that would totally ruin his future. With advanced technology and the Internet, the student, out of a fit of rage, might decide to post the issue on STOMP. The student would most likely exaggerate the situation, garnering lots of comments by viewers. This would further tarnish the reputation of the school by mistreating students. Thus, the school would not be able to attain its win-win situation, whereby both sides – students and the school – all get advantages. To prevent this from happening, the students should have the freedom to decide what punishment they would get after breaking the rules. The students will then be more willing to accept the punishment after a unanimous consensus. Of course, if the students misuse this freedom to not have any punishment of any sort, then the school must intervene.
There are a few advantages of giving students freedom in deciding school rules. One of them is that the students will be more self-aware of their rules once they have personally set them. If they ever break the rules, they will feel a sense of guilt and remorse as they broke it even when they wanted this rule and chose it in the first place. This will encourage the students to strictly adhere to the rules. Another advantage is that the students have a unique perspective which differentiates them from the school administration. The school administration only ensures the well-being of the students and their education; however, they do not know what they really think of the school rules or even the school itself. This unique perspective allows the students to know the pros and cons of the school rules so that they can pick out its flaws, rectify them and try to create a Utopian school environment to their own benefits. For example, if students are not satisfied with the number of school hours per day, they can possibly shorten them. Who knows, with more time at home to study and revise, their performance and work productivity may increase as a result.
In conclusion, students should indeed be allowed to have freedom to choose their own school rules. To tackle problems faced, utilitarianism is the best way to be used. It means that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of persons. This is very similar to having a win-win situation. Instead of allowing rebellious students to mess up a so-called “perfect” school system run by the school administration, the school should first give the students a little freedom and a chance to share their viewpoints. They should not push it away and reject it. If they can permit the students to do it, then together, the school will prosper. Face the fact: freedom is for all, it has no limits. With a little freedom, big things can be achieved. No matter how it is shunned, it is still there, still present. No one can remove and eradicate it from the face of this world. It is time for the dawn of a new era, an era whereby freedom will rule the world!
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