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).
What is the Torah's perspective on this issue? Of course, in ancient times there were no reprimands nor were offenses recorded in a book, although there are several stories in the Talmud where the teacher asks a student why they didn't come to class... However, sanctions did exist.
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.
For example, a teacher cannot leave the classroom (for an extended period) or do other work while teaching, nor can they stay up later than necessary at night, lest they be tired during the day. Similarly, the Torah states that children's studies cannot be interrupted for anything, not even for the construction of the Beit HaMikdash (goodbye to the concept of teacher strikes...).
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).
Today there is a great lack of values (of all kinds) in the home itself, which is then transmitted to the educational sphere. This lack is present in both students and teachers...
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.