An interesting article appeared today in the newspaper La Nación. It's about the reinstatement of sanctions in schools in the Federal Capital.
The newspaper's journalists consulted several education experts and, apparently, all concluded that the measure is good (See note).
¿Cuál es la perspectiva de la Torá de este tema? Claro, antiguamente no existían las amonestaciones ni las faltas eran registradas en un libro, a pesar de que aparecen varias historias en el Talmud donde el maestro le pregunta a algún estudiante por qué no vino a la clase… Sin embargo, si existían las sanciones.
Times have changed, therefore the same rules of discipline as before do not necessarily apply; however, what does apply is the interesting relationship between teacher and student.
This relationship proposed by the Torah leads the teacher to give their best and the student to understand their role. In other words, both teacher and student have obligations and rules to follow, thus ensuring a proper exchange of knowledge and values between them.
Por ejemplo, el maestro no puede salir del aula (por un tiempo prolongado) ni hacer otro trabajo mientras está enseñando, ni puede quedarse despierto a la noche más de lo debido, para no estar cansado durante el día. A su vez, la Torá plantea que e estudio de los niños no puede interrumpirse por nada, ni siquiera para la construcción del Beit HaMikdash (adiós al concepto de los paros docentes…).
On the other hand, the student owes his teacher the greatest respect in the world, even more than his own father, since his father brought him into this world, while his teacher gives him life in this world (teaching him to be a good person) and in the world to come (teaching him Torah).
Hoy en día existe una gran falta de valores (de todo tipo) en el hogar mismo que se transmite al ámbito educativo. Esta falta la traen tanto los alumnos como los maestros y maestras…
In the Torah, the concept of education is broader than the common understanding. The word chinuch, which is commonly translated as education, means dedication, like the dedication of a house (chanukat haBayit). This indicates the student's dedication to a set of values that the educator not only preaches but also practices.
In conclusion, the Torah establishes sanctions, but they are not the solution to all the evils of human behavior, but only one tool (among others) to correct exceptions, not to establish the system of values and respect between the teacher and the student.