Olivarez College

Lenient or Strict? What is the more effective

approach in teaching students

Aira Dianne S. Angkiko

English 10
Mrs. Marcelina G. Lee
December 9, 2016
Table of Contents

Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………….. 1

I. Chapter 1 – The Educators ……………………………………………..……. 3

A.) Teachers
B.) Different Types of Teachers and their Approaches
C.) Occupational Hazards
D.) Misconduct and Gender Imbalance

II. Chapter 2 – From the Students’ Perspective

III. Chapter 3 – Teachers Around the World
IV. Chapter 4 – The Issues
A.) Laws between Students and Teachers
1.) Duties and Obligations
a.) Students
b.) Teachers
B.) Heavy Pressure on Students
V. Chapter 5 – The Effects
A.) Strict Teachers
1.) Pros
2.) Cons
B.) Lenient Teachers
1.) Pros
2.) Cons
VI. Conclusion
VII. Appendix
VIII. Bibliography
 -Introduction–
Students nowadays are more liberated; they do not want to be taken control of by people
and even those who are older than them. 3 out 5 students in this generation graduates and
the remaining 2 either goes homeless or jobless. In the present, schools may have had the
same rules, we can say that schools before we’re stricter than today. For years, great
education has been proven by the students of those teachers who are tough on their
students, tough means demanding and high standards.

Students and teachers in this generation now often have closer bonds than the usual strict
teachers before. Normally, students differentiate their teachers according their way of
implementing rules in the classroom. There are strict teachers who are very tough on
students and lenient teachers who can tolerate their students’ faults. Most people,
especially students, like to be given freedom to express their aspiration in class activity
rather than to be guided firmly by the teachers. However, the opposite side of people
believes that strict teachers can be the effective way to produce extraordinary students.
But there are certain effects from strict teachers that a student may start to manifest due to
the tasks and approach that the teacher gives and shows.

Often times, students are afraid of their strict teachers in school because of how they talk
to them, some students on the other hand desires to have strict teachers teaching them
rather than a lenient one.

According to Teachers Appreciation Blog, there are two impacts of being strict, the
positive and the negative impacts. The positive impacts are well organized class,
motivated students and maximum teacher respect, while the negative impacts
are less approachable, discouraging attitude, and students’ rebellion.

The study aims to learn the effects of strict teachers on the students of this generation.
Where in strictness became the only reason that the students followed their the school
guidelines, what are the effects on students who experiences different situations in their
life while being engaged with a strict teacher, and the effects of strict teachers on unruly
and lazy students.
Chapter I – The Educators

A.) Teachers
The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place
of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must
first obtain specified professional qualifications or credentials from
a university or college. These professional qualifications may include the study
of 1pedagogy, the science of teaching. A teacher's role may vary among cultures.
Teachers may provide instruction in literacy and numeracy, craftsmanship or vocational
training, the arts, religion, civics, community roles, or life skills.

A teacher who facilitates education for an individual may also be described as a

personal tutor, or, largely historically, a governess.

In some countries, formal education can take place through home schooling. Informal
learning may be assisted by a teacher occupying a 2transient or ongoing role, such as a
family member, or by anyone with knowledge or skills in the wider community setting.
Teachers serve as the guiding force in a student's life. They are responsible for molding a
student's personality and shaping his/her mental orientation. Teachers deeply impact our
lives and direct the course of our future. One cannot deny the influence of teachers in
one's life. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that, till a certain age, out life
revolves around our teachers. They are our constant companions, until we grow old
enough to come out of their shadow and move ahead on our own. Right from the time we
embark on our education trip, we come across different types of teachers. Some are
friendly, some are strict, and some are the ones we idolize. We also dislike a few, who
fail to impress us positively. Students begin to like teachers, according to their own
individual preferences. They even classify their teachers into different categories, such as
Friendly Teachers, Lenient Teachers, Perfectionist Teachers, Strict Teachers and Funny
Teachers. All these classifications for teachers are based on some typical personality
traits of the teachers. For example, some teachers constantly criticize the students, some
act like friends, some are fun to be with and so on.

B.) Different types of Teachers and their

Approaches

1
Pedagogy - the art or science of teaching; education; instructional methods.
2
Transient - lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
Teacher’s are considered to be a child’s second parent, they guide their students until
they grow up, they also the responsibility of shaping the students personality and mental
orientation. They can be categorized into the most common types of teachers around;
these types given below are the top answers from the surveys given.

Friendly Teachers
Friendly teachers, as the very term suggests, acts like a friend for their students. A
teacher-friend, in fact, combines both the guidance of a teacher and the understanding of
a friend. We all, at some point of time, aspire for an understanding teacher. Such a
teacher acts like a friend, philosopher and guide. If we have our teacher as our friend, we
will never wander from the right path of life. Every teacher should have some friendly
traits in him/her. Such a teacher is more close to the students and proves to be a better
educator as well. Students tend to feel closer for they feel similar bonds as they do to
some of their friends. Although boundaries are still set when it comes to a Friendly
teacher, a student should never forget their position and their teachers. According to
survey, Students like to feel like their teachers don’t oppose a threat and consider them as
family, much like a friend. 60% agrees that teachers should be friendly, that includes
being approachable, understanding and considerate.

Funny Teachers
Funny teachers are like a God-sent to the students. Such teachers always wants to see
their students smile and make learning a pleasurable experience. They are not clumsy, as
most people think them to be. Rather, they are witty and bring in humour in the most
subtle form.

Although making jokes and having a good laugh with the students is a good technique,
there is a negative side to this, the jokes aren’t always effective especially when it comes
to the youth; young people’s humour changes quite constantly and sticking to jokes that
are plain, dull and overly used can end into students disliking or feeling awkward with
the teacher.

The Clueless Teachers

A clueless teacher does not actually know what he is doing yet, and clearly tries to
3
"wing" their way through the subject and the class. They pretends to know the subject
and even incorrectly teaches it to his students. This type of teachers often comes late to
class and can have a hard time handling their students because they doesn't know the
proper way to discipline them and sometimes may use anger to discipline their students
instead.
The Lazy Teacher
Lazy teachers sit at their desk most of the times, doing something else other than teach,
telling the students to read their textbook and take “notes” to keep their students
preoccupied. If there are problems in the class, they do not really care and just talks from
their desk. They do not answer questions fully nor do they attempt to help confused
students, they often gives little attention to their students thus giving their students a hard
time studying and learning.

The Personal Life-Obsessed Teacher

These teachers are the ones that always talks about their personal life or past stories,
rather than teaching the class. They go on constant tangents, talking about what went on
in their past especially when comparing or relating their life to a lesson that they’re
having.

The Too-Challenging Teacher

These are the teachers who make everything a million times harder than it needs to be,
according to Senior Intern Gabrielle Scullard. However, it is completely worth going
through the difficulty of the class as you get extra-prepared for the examinations and
know the subject inside and out.

The Strict Teacher

A strict teacher is very tough on students. They always insist on adhering to the
deadlines. Such teachers dislike any mistakes or carelessness on the part of the students.
Students have to be extra cautious under such a teacher. He/she is like a disciplinarian,
always keeping students on their toes. Students who have a very strict teacher are
constantly forced to keep too high a standard. even if such a teacher has good intentions,
the students fail to understand and appreciate them, because of their tender age. A strict
teacher fails to touch the heart of his/her students, always remains a teacher and failing to

3
Wing – A Slang word, an idiom, means to improvise, to do something without proper preparation or
time to rehearse.
become a confidante of the students. Students never respect such a teacher from the heart.
They accept him/her only out of compulsion or fear. A strict teacher will find it extremely
difficult to be loved by his/her students, especially, those belonging to a small age group.
Overtime, a student may come to understand the intent of a strict teacher, but it is highly
improbable that he/she will appreciate it.

C.) Occupational Hazards

Teachers face several occupational hazards in their line of work, including occupational
stress, which can negatively impact teachers' mental and physical health, productivity,
and students' performance. Stress can be caused by organizational change, relationships
with students, fellow teachers, and administrative personnel, working environment,
expectations to substitute, long hours with a heavy workload, and inspections. Teachers
are also at high risk for occupational burnout
A 2000 study found that 42% of UK teachers experienced occupational stress, twice the
figure for the average profession. A 2012 study found that teachers experienced double
the rate of anxiety, depression, and stress than average workers.
There are several ways to mitigate the occupational hazards of teaching. Organizational
interventions, like changing teachers' schedules, providing support networks and
mentoring, changing the work environment, and offering promotions and bonuses, may
be effective in helping to reduce occupational stress among teachers. Individual-level
interventions, including stress-management training and counselling, are also used to
relieve occupational stress among teachers.
Disease Transmission
Teachers spend their days with students, colleagues and parents, making them susceptible
to bacterial and viral infections. In fact, a study led by investigators from the MGEN
Foundation for Public Health revealed that teachers are more susceptible to certain types
of infections than other workers. During the study, researchers surveyed 1,817 non-
teachers and 3,679 teachers ranging in age from 20 to 60. After adjusting for variables,
they found that male and female teachers had a higher lifetime prevalence of laryngitis
and rhinopharyngitis, two infections of the upper respiratory tract. They also found that
female teachers had a higher lifetime prevalence of bronchitis. The results of this study
appeared in the April 21, 2006, online edition of “BMC Public Health.”

Workplace Violence
The American Psychological Association reports that approximately 7 percent of teachers
in the United States are threatened with injury each year. These threats are more
prevalent in urban high schools, and female teachers receive more than twice as many
threats as male teachers. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
surveyed students as part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance. Nearly 6 percent of
the students surveyed admitted carrying a gun, knife or club on school property during
the 30 days preceding the survey. This increases the risk for physical violence.

Ergonomic Issues
Ergonomics involves fitting the work environment to the employee instead of forcing the
employee to fit the work environment. Employers use the principles of ergonomics to
reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries and other occupational health problems.
Teachers spend much of their time standing, and may have to bend, stretch and lift to use
educational aids and equipment such as blackboards and projectors. This puts them at risk
for varicose veins and for injuries, including sprains, strains, pulled muscles, and back
injuries. For teachers who spend a lot of time using a computer, the risk of developing
carpal tunnel syndrome is also a concern.

Work-Related Stress
Teachers have several sources of stress in the workplace. They include increased class
sizes, student performance objectives, lack of control over work hours and methods, lack
of student motivation, difficulty working with parents, lack of professional recognition,
and inadequate salary. Although everyone reacts to stress differently, too much stress can
affect mood, behavior and physical health. The Mayo Clinic says that stress can lead to
headaches, sleep problems, fatigue, muscle tension, upset stomach, chest pain and muscle
pain. It can also cause anxiety, irritability, depression, anger, drug or alcohol abuse,
social withdrawal, and changes in appetite.

Legal Considerations
Educators must comply with laws designed to ensure that all students have equal access
to educational opportunities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, enacted in
1990, gives students with disabilities access to special education services. The act also
protects the right of students with disabilities to receive a free public education regardless
of their ability. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 implemented education reforms
designed to improve student achievement and hold educators responsible for student
progress. Teachers and administrators must also adhere to the provisions of the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The act gives parents the right to review the
education records of their minor children and request the correction of any inaccuracies.
It also prohibits educators from releasing information from a student’s education record
without written permission from the parent. There are some exceptions to this rule, such
as releasing information requested by authorities or complying with a judicial order, but
educators need to be aware of these exceptions and release information only when
required. Failing to comply with these laws and any state-specific education laws puts
teachers at risk of being sued or losing their professional credentials.
 D.) Misconduct and Gender Imbalance

Misconduct by teachers, especially sexual misconduct, has been getting increased

scrutiny from the media and the courts. A study by the American Association of
University Women reported that 9.6% of students in the United States claim to have
received unwanted sexual attention from an adult associated with education; be they a
volunteer, bus driver, teacher, administrator or other adult; sometime during their
educational career.
A study in England showed a 0.3% prevalence of sexual abuse by any professional, a
group that included priests, religious leaders, and case workers as well as teachers. It is
important to note, however, that the British study referenced above is the only one of its
kind and consisted of "a random ... probability sample of 2,869 young people between the
ages of 18 and 24 in a computer-assisted study" and that the questions referred to "sexual
abuse with a professional," not necessarily a teacher. It is therefore logical to conclude
that information on the percentage of abuses by teachers in the United Kingdom is not
explicitly available and therefore not necessarily reliable. The AAUW study, however,
posed questions about fourteen types of sexual harassment and various degrees of
frequency and included only abuses by teachers. "The sample was drawn from a list of
80,000 schools to create a stratified two-stage sample design of 2,065 8th to 11th grade
students "Its reliability was gauged at 95% with a 4% margin of error.
In the United States especially, several high-profile cases such as Debra LaFave, Pamela
Rogers, and Mary Kay Letourneau have caused increased scrutiny on teacher
misconduct.
Chris Keates, the general secretary of National Association of Schoolmasters Union of
Women Teachers, said that teachers who have sex with pupils over the age of consent
should not be placed on the sex offenders register and that prosecution for statutory rape
"is a real anomaly in the law that we are concerned about." This has led to outrage from
child protection and parental rights groups. Fears of being labelled
a pedophile or hebephile has led to several men who enjoy teaching avoiding the
profession. This has in some jurisdictions reportedly led to a shortage of male teachers.
Chapter II – From The Students’ Perspectives
 A.) Currently Studying
Strict
60% of the currently studying students who answered the survey said that they prefer
strict teachers because they are forced to do so, they are forced to cope with whatever
limitations the teachers created since strict teachers give out punishments and sticks to
what they say; their standards are higher than an average teacher and grades their
students’ work very thoroughly. Strict teachers earn more respect. According to one
survey, being strict is both a blessing and a curse, it is a curse they’re strict but don’t
show any signs of concern because of this, students will likely not learn anything from
them. A blessing if they’re the opposite of the one mentioned before because they can
enforce discipline and at the same time create a comfortable learning environment which
makes it easier for their students to learn. In the Philippines, teachers and students are
likely to have a bond within the year/s that they spend together especially advisory
teachers. Since classes in the country comes in per sections for every level every year,
teachers to students bond or teacher to class bond develops but this rarely happens with
strict teachers as though strict teachers who are too assertive to their students. Students in
the Philippines nowadays are too careless with their studies, strict teachers often
motivates them to do well in class but sometimes when teachers go too far assertive, their
students tend to lose respect and the will to follow them since they feel choked up with
their tasks. Some students on the other hand follow only when a strict teacher is present,
this here is a lead example of the problems of schools today, the students who are happy-
go-lucky follows only the strict teachers. In Philippine schools, especially in large
campuses or universities, students take the opportunity to cut classes when a teacher is
not attentive enough with their students, students push their teacher to extend a date just
because the teacher is too considering, some other times, teachers are being pleaded by
students to make a change in their grades or activity and revert the original plan. Having
strict teachers makes the mentioned example of students easy to handle, students fear that
their strict teacher will fail them without a doubt or any consideration especially with
how the students did in their class.
Lenient
40% of the students prefer having lenient teachers who are approachable, understanding,
and considerate, these traits are often absent in the traits of a strict teacher although some
strict teachers are considerate and understanding, it is indeed rare because strict teachers
stick to schedule. Moreover, students have difficulties in coping with how strict teachers
approach them; students who cannot handle pressure can lead unfortunate incidents. In
such findings, students prefer lenient teacher because they feel comfort around the
teacher, they do not have to fear of punishment and embarrassment. Fearing the teacher,
most of the time distracts the student from focusing and lessen their actual gain of
knowledge because they are focused on the strict teacher if they are going to be called on
or for surprise quizzes and such the like. Students wish to have a teacher whom they can
be like family with; they find comfort from their teachers, being a so-called second
parent, especially to students who are experiencing difficulties and problems with the
family or those who have broken family ties. Leniency is usually what children finds in
their teachers, gentle, jolly and patient.
Chapter 3 - Teaching Around The World
There are many similarities and differences among teachers around the world. In almost
all countries teachers are educated in a university or college. Governments may
require certification by a recognized body before they can teach in a school. In many
countries, elementary school education certificate is earned after completion of high
school. The high school student follows an education specialty track, obtain the
prerequisite "student-teaching" time, and receive a special diploma to begin teaching after
graduation. In addition to certification, many educational institutions especially within
the US, require that prospective teachers pass a background check and psychiatric
evaluation to be able to teach in classroom. This is not always the case with adult further
learning institutions but is fast becoming the norm in many countries as security concerns
grow.
International schools generally follow an English-speaking, Western curriculum and are
aimed at expatriate communities.
Australia
Education in Australia is primarily the responsibility of the individual states and
territories. Generally, education in Australia follows the three-tier model which
includes primary education (primary schools), followed by secondary
education (secondary schools/high schools) and tertiary education (universities
and/or TAFE colleges).
Canada
Teaching in Canada requires a post-secondary degree Bachelor's Degree. In most
provinces a second Bachelor's Degree such as a Bachelor of Education is required to
become a qualified teacher. Salary ranges from $40,000/year to $90,000/yr. Teachers
have the option to teach for a public school which is funded by the provincial government
or teaching in a private school which is funded by the private sector, businesses and
sponsors.
France
In France, teachers, or professors, are mainly civil servants, recruited by competitive
examination.
Germany
In Germany, teachers are mainly civil servants recruited in special university classes,
called Lehramtstudien (Teaching Education Studies). There are many differences
between the teachers for elementary schools (Grundschule), lower secondary schools
(Hauptschule), middle level secondary schools (Realschule) and higher level secondary
schools (Gymnasium). Salaries for teachers depend on the civil servants' salary index
scale (Bundesbesoldungsordnung).
Ireland
Salaries for primary teachers in Ireland depend mainly on seniority (i.e. holding the
position of principal, deputy principal or assistant principal), experience and
qualifications. Extra pay is also given for teaching through the Irish language, in
a Gaeltacht area or on an island. The basic pay for a starting teacher is €27,814 p.a.,
rising incrementally to €53,423 for a teacher with 25 years service. A principal of a large
school with many years experience and several qualifications (M.A., H.Dip.. etc.) could
earn over €90,000.
Teachers are required to be registered with the Teaching Council; under Section 30 of the
Teaching Council Act 2001, a person employed in any capacity in a recognised teaching
post - who is not registered with the Teaching Council - may not be paid
from Oireachtas funds.
From 2006 Garda vetting has been introduced for new entrants to the teaching profession.
These procedures apply to teaching and also to non-teaching posts and those who refuse
vetting "cannot be appointed or engaged by the school in any capacity including in a
voluntary role". Existing staff will be vetted on a phased basis.
United Kingdom
Education in the United Kingdom is a devolved matter with each of the countries of the
United Kingdom having separate systems.
England
Salaries for Nursery, Primary and Secondary School teachers ranged from £20,133 to
£41,004 in September 2007, although some salaries can go much higher depending on
experience and extra responsibilities. Preschool teachers may earn £20,980
annually. Teachers in state schools must have at least a bachelor's degree, complete an
approved teacher education program, and be licensed.
Many counties offer alternative licensing programs to attract people into teaching,
especially for hard-to-fill positions. Excellent job opportunities are expected
as retirements, especially among secondary school teachers, outweigh slowing enrollment
growth; opportunities will vary by geographic area and subject taught.
Scotland
In Scotland, anyone wishing to teach must be registered with the General Teaching
Council for Scotland (GTCS). Teaching in Scotland is an all graduate profession and the
normal route for graduates wishing to teach is to complete a programme of Initial
Teacher Education (ITE) at one of the seven Scottish Universities who offer these
courses. Once successfully completed, "Provisional Registration" is given by the GTCS
which is raised to "Full Registration" status after a year if there is sufficient evidence to
show that the "Standard for Full Registration" has been met.
For the salary year beginning April 2008, unpromoted teachers in Scotland earned from
£20,427 for a Probationer, up to £32,583 after 6 years teaching, but could then go on to
earn up to £39,942 as they complete the modules to earn Chartered Teacher Status
(requiring at least 6 years at up to two modules per year.) Promotion to Principal Teacher
positions attracts a salary of between £34,566 and £44,616; Deputy Head, and Head
teachers earn from £40,290 to £78,642. Teachers in Scotland can be registered members
of trade unions with the main ones being the Educational Institute of Scotland and
the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association.
Wales
Education in Wales differs in certain respects from education elsewhere in the United
Kingdom. For example, a significant number of students all over Wales are educated
either wholly or largely through the medium of Welsh: in 2008/09, 22 per cent of classes
in maintained primary schools used Welsh as the sole or main medium of instruction.
Welsh medium education is available to all age groups through nurseries, schools,
colleges and universities and in adult education; lessons in the language itself are
compulsory for all pupils until the age of 16.
Teachers in Wales can be registered members of trade unions such
as ATL, NUT or NASUWT and reports in recent years suggest that the average age of
teachers in Wales is falling with teachers being younger than in previous years. A
growing cause of concern are that attacks on teachers in Welsh schools which reached an
all-time high between 2005 and 2010
United States
In the United States, each state determines the requirements for getting a license to teach
in public schools. Teaching certification generally lasts three years, but teachers can
receive certificates that last as long as ten years. Public school teachers are required to
have a bachelor's degree and the majority must be certified by the state in which they
teach. Many charter schools do not require that their teachers be certified, provided they
meet the standards to be highly qualified as set by No Child Left Behind. Additionally,
the requirements for substitute/temporary teachers are generally not as rigorous as those
for full-time professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are 1.4
million elementary school teachers, 674,000 middle school teachers, and 1
million secondary school teachers employed in the U.S.
In the past, teachers have been paid relatively low salaries. However, average teacher
salaries have improved rapidly in recent years. US teachers are generally paid on
graduated scales, with income depending on experience. Teachers with more experience
and higher education earn more than those with a standard bachelor's degree and
certificate. Salaries vary greatly depending on state, relative cost of living, and grade
taught. Salaries also vary within states where wealthy suburban school districts generally
have higher salary schedules than other districts. The median salary for all primary and
secondary teachers was $46,000 in 2004, with the average entry salary for a teacher with
a bachelor's degree being an estimated $32,000. Median salaries for preschool teachers,
however, were less than half the national median for secondary teachers, clock in at an
estimated $21,000 in 2004. For high school teachers, median salaries in 2007 ranged
from $35,000 in South Dakota to $71,000 in New York, with a national median of
$52,000.Some contracts may include long-term disability insurance, life insurance,
emergency/personal leave and investment options. The American Federation of Teachers'
teacher salary survey for the 2006-07 school year found that the average teacher salary
was $51,009. In a salary survey report for K-12 teachers, elementary school teachers had
the lowest median salary earning $39,259. High school teachers had the highest median
salary earning $41,855. Many teachers take advantage of the opportunity to increase their
income by supervising after-school programs and other extracurricular activities. In
addition to monetary compensation, public school teachers may also enjoy greater
benefits (like health insurance) compared to other occupations. Merit pay systems are on
the rise for teachers, paying teachers extra money based on excellent classroom
evaluations, high test scores and for high success at their overall school. Also, with the
advent of the internet, many teachers are now selling their lesson plans to other teachers
through the web in order to earn supplemental income, most notably on
TeachersPayTeachers.com.
China
Education in China is a state-run system of public education run by the Ministry of
Education. All citizens must attend school for at least nine years, known as the nine-
year compulsory education, which the government funds. It includes six years of primary
education, starting at age six or seven, and three years of junior secondary education
(middle school) for ages 12 to 15. Some provinces may have five years of primary school
but four years for middle school. After middle school, there are three years of high
school, which then completes the secondary education. The Ministry of Education
reported a 99 percent attendance rate for primary school and an 80 percent rate for both
primary and middle schools In 1985, the government abolished tax-funded higher
education, requiring university applicants to compete for scholarships based on academic
ability. In the early 1980s the government allowed the establishment of the first private
school, increasing the number of undergraduates and people who hold doctoral
degrees fivefold from 1995 to 2005. In 2003 China supported 1,552 institutions of higher
learning (colleges and universities) and their 725,000 professors and 11 million students
are over 100 National Key Universities, including Peking University and Tsinghua
University. Chinese spending has grown by 20% per year since 1999, now reaching over
$100bn, and as many as 1.5 million science and engineering students graduated from
Chinese universities in 2006. China published 184,080 papers as of 2008. China has also
become a top destination for international students. As of 2013, China is the most popular
country in Asia for international students, and ranks third overall among countries.
Philippines
Elementary school covers the first six years of compulsory education (grades 1–6)
informally divided into 3 years of primary level and 3 years of intermediate level.
Secondary education consists of four levels largely based on the American schooling
system. DepEd (Department of Education) specifies a compulsory curriculum for all
secondary schools, public and private. Technical and vocational education is offered by
government operated or private institutions often called colleges. Programs duration
varies from a few weeks to 3 years. upon the graduation from most of the programs
students may take TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Authority) examination to
receive an appropriate certificate or diploma. Higher Education is governed by the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that was created on May 18, 1994 through the
passage of Republic Act No. 7722, or the Higher Education Act of 1994. The creation of
CHED was part of a broad agenda of reforms on the country’s education system outlined
by the Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) in 1992. Part of the reforms
was the trifocalization of the education sector into three governing bodies: the CHED for
tertiary and graduate education, the Department of Education (DepEd) for basic
education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for
technical-vocational and middle-level education.

Japan
In Japan, education is compulsory at the elementary and lower secondary levels. Most
students attend public schools through the lower secondary level, but private education is
popular at the upper secondary and university levels.
Education prior to elementary school is provided at kindergartens and day-care centers.
Public and private day-care centers take children from under age 1 on up to 5 years old.
The programmes for those children aged 3–5 resemble those at kindergartens. The
educational approach at kindergartens varies greatly from unstructured environments that
emphasize play to highly structured environments that are focused on having the child
pass the entrance exam at a private elementary school. The academic year starts from
April and ends in March, having summer vacation in August and winter vacation in the
end of December to the beginning of January. Also, there are few days of holidays
between academic years. The period of academic year is same all through elementary
level to higher educations nationwide.
Japan is one of the top-performing OECD countries in reading literacy, maths and
sciences with the average student scoring 540 and has one of the worlds highest-educated
labour forces among OECD countries. Its populace is well educated and its society highly
values education as a platform for social mobility and for gaining employment in the
country's high-tech economy. The country's large pool of highly educated and skilled
individuals is largely responsible for ushering Japan’s post-war economic growth.
Tertiary-educated adults in Japan, particularly graduates in sciences and engineering
benefit economically and socially from their education and skills in the country's high
tech economy. Spending on education as a proportion of GDP is below the OECD
average. Although expenditure per student is comparatively high in Japan, total
expenditure relative to GDP remains small. In 2015, Japan’s public spending on
education amounted to just 3.5 percent of its GDP, below the OECD average of 4.7%. In
2014, the country ranked fourth for the percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds that have
attained tertiary education with 48 percent. In addition, bachelor's degrees are held by 59
percent of South Koreans aged 25–34, the second most in the OECD after South
Korea. As the Japanese economy is largely scientific and technological based, the labor
market demands people who have achieved some form of higher education, particularly
related to science and engineering in order to gain a competitive edge when searching for
employment opportunities. About 75.9 percent of high school graduates attended a
university, junior college, trade school, or other higher education institution.
Japan's education system played a central part in Japan's recovery and rapid economic
growth in the decades following the end of World War II. After World War II,
the Fundamental Law of Education and the School Education Law were enacted. The
latter law defined the school system that would be in effect for many decades: six years
of elementary school, three years of junior high school, three years of high school, and
two or four years of university. Starting in April 2016, various schools began the
academic year with elementary school and junior high school integrated into one nine-
year compulsory schooling program, in hopes to
mitigate bullying and truancy; MEXT plans for this approach to be adopted nationwide in
the coming years.
Although Japan ranks highly on the PISA tests, its educational system has been criticized
for its focus on standardized testing and conformity; its aforementioned bullying
problem; and its strong academic pressure on students.
Chapter 4 – The Issues
 A.) Laws between Teachers and Students

1.) Duties and Obligations

a.) Students
According to the Batas Pambansa 232, Part 2, Chapter 3, Section 15 – A student must
exert his utmost to develop his potentialities for service, particularly by undergoing an
education suited to his abilities, in order that he may become an asset to his family and to
society, A student must uphold academic integrity of the school, endeavour to achieve
academic excellence and abide by the rules and regulations governing his academic
responsibilities and moral integrity, A student must promote and maintain peace and
tranquillity of the school by observing the rules and discipline, and by exerting efforts to
attain harmonious relationships with fellow students, the teaching and academic staff and
other school personnel, A student must participate actively in civic affairs and in the
promotion of the general welfare, particularly in the social, economic and cultural
developments of his community and in the attainment of a just, compassionate and
orderly society, and lastly a student must exercise his rights responsibly in the knowledge
that he is answerable for any infringement or violation of the public welfare and of the
rights of others.

b.) Teachers
According to the Batas Pambansa 232, Part 2, Chapter 3, Section 16 - A teacher must
perform his duties to the school by discharging his responsibilities in accordance with the
goals, and objectives of the school, a teacher must be accountable for the efficient and
effective attainment of specified learning objectives in a national development goals
within the limits of available school resources, a teacher must render regular reports on
performance of each students and to the latter and the latter’s guardians with specific
suggestions for improvement, a teacher must assume the responsibility to maintain and
sustain his professional growth and advancement and professionalism in his behaviour at
all times, a teacher must refrain from making deductions in students’ scholastic rating for
acts that are clearly not made of poor scholarship and lastly, a teacher must participate as
an agent of constructive social, economic, moral, intellectual, cultural and political in his
school and the community within the context of national policies.
 B.) Heavy Pressure on Students
Students experience academic pressure all the time especially when teachers that are
ruthless and unforgiving are in the matter. At school there is a range of academic pressure
that students feel, derived from a need for perfection, worry over grades, parental
pressure, competition, sports or a tough class load. Academic pressure does not begin in
college. The nervous breakdowns, panic attacks, burnouts, and depression are also
apparent in many younger students. The same situation is not always stressful for all
people, and all people do not undergo the same feelings or off-putting thoughts when
stressed. Having a strong support network to fall back on when times get tough at school
is critical to staying upbeat and maintaining a big picture perspective. Friends can be the
best people to relieve stress, but they can also be the reason behind the stress.

1.) External Factors

External forces also create academic pressure. Many students fail in the subject of
time management and excel at procrastination; the cure requires dedication and
commitment. Some students just want to take the easy way out and cheat. They
may have jobs after school to support their family or themselves, which carries a
higher priority for them than school work. In the same context, many students feel
that excelling in sports is a higher priority than school.
a.) Cheating
Cheating has become the method of survival, the only way to reach and maintain
the top for many... but there are better routes to reach number one while keeping
the student’s integrity intact.
b.) Friends and Competition
A student always has friends that are mostly the same as them, as they say, “birds
with the same feather, flocks together” In this scenario, a student’s friend might
also be aiming for academic improvements thus leading to the friend to have
awards, added with parental pressure and comparison, a student now starts to think
of the friend as competition. This is a very unhealthy scenario that happens to
students. Students are not always the same, they go through different things in
their life, everyone has different set of skills and talents, we can’t say that “If she
can then you can” because it is always based upon the capability of an individual
but since in school, teachers tend to tell their students that if one can do it then
everyone can as well, the case is unfair because not everyone is the same,
especially to students who suffer mental and physical illnesses.
Chapter 5 – The Effects
 A. Strict Teachers
Strict educators have become synonymous with some crazed looking educator who
wields a ruler and breathes fire at every little indiscretion. Although it’s an
exaggeration, some educators try to emulate a military style regime by taking
strictness to the highest possible level. However, being strict can be a useful class
manage tool, but remember, for everything gained there is something lost.

Pros
1. Makes students adhere to class structure which increases opportunities to
learn.
Students normally behave better, so unwanted behavior does not interfere with the lesson
as much.

2. It teaches the students about responsibility for their actions. Students learn they
have choices to make and they are held responsible for what they do. Example: No
homework= stay after class to do homework.

3. More likely to treat everyone the same as rules govern the class as opposed to
emotion.
The strict educator is normally guided by rules which allow a systematic management of
students. Example: A quiet student who never causes trouble becomes angry and
unleashes a torrent of bad words. Even though this student has never done this, the
student will receive the same punishment as everyone else. Whereas a more lenient
educator may rationalize that it is not normal for that student and let it be, but the strict
educator is governed by the rules and there are usually no exceptions. The strict educator
understands that playing favorites diminishes the rules and will not let that happen.

4. The rules are clearly known to the students so they know what is expected of
them.
A strict educator will make the rules known to the students because he wants everyone to
abide. Therefore, the students are clear on what is expected.

5. Students tend to be more respectful.

At the lower levels of strictness, some students will honor the educator because they
understand the educator is trying to help them learn.
Cons
1. Can’t connect with students.
An overly strict educator can create a barrier between him and the students. That barrier
creates several of the problems below.

2. Decreases student participation.

When students can’t connect with an educator, they normally don’t feel any need to
participate. Whether it’s lack of connection or afraid of being admonished for being
wrong, student participation suffers.

3. Kills classroom atmosphere

That inaccessible barrier the educator has created can make the classroom a place of
dread instead of learning. An overly strict educator can decrease motivation in the
classroom.

4. Respect through fear.

There are two levels of respect: honor and fear. Anything done in fear produces lower
results than from honor. Example: If a student is doing an assignment, he may be
concentrating more on how demanding the educator will be instead of focusing on what
he can learn.

5. Students rebel against the rules in protest.

An educator who is overly strict could cause students to break rules as a form of protest.
It may become a joke amongst the students of how they anger the educator. This is not
normal, but it is possible.
A.) Lenient Teachers
Strict educators have become synonymous with some crazed looking educator
who wields a ruler and breathes fire at every little indiscretion. Although it’s an
exaggeration, some educators try to emulate a military style regime by taking
strictness to the highest possible level. However, being strict can be a useful
class manage tool, but remember, for everything gained there is something lost.

Pros
1. Makes students adhere to class structure which increases opportunities to
learn.
Students normally behave better, so unwanted behavior does not interfere with the
lesson as much.

2. It teaches the students about responsibility for their actions.

Students learn they have choices to make and they are held responsible for what they
do. Example: No homework= stay after class to do homework.

3. More likely to treat everyone the same as rules govern the class as opposed
to emotion.
The strict educator is normally guided by rules which allow a systematic management
of students. Example: A quiet student who never causes trouble becomes angry and
unleashes a torrent of bad words. Even though this student has never done this, the
student will receive the same punishment as everyone else. Whereas a more lenient
educator may rationalize that it is not normal for that student and let it be, but the
strict educator is governed by the rules and there are usually no exceptions. The strict
educator understands that playing favorites diminishes the rules and will not let that
happen.

4. The rules are clearly known to the students so they know what is expected
of them.
A strict educator will make the rules known to the students because he wants
everyone to abide. Therefore, the students are clear on what is expected.

5. Students tend to be more respectful.

At the lower levels of strictness, some students will honor the educator because they
understand the educator is trying to help them learn.
Cons
1. Can’t connect with students.
An overly strict educator can create a barrier between him and the students. That
barrier creates several of the problems below.

2. Decreases student participation.

When students can’t connect with an educator, they normally don’t feel any need to
participate. Whether it’s lack of connection or afraid of being admonished for being
wrong, student participation suffers.

3. Kills classroom atmosphere

That inaccessible barrier the educator has created can make the classroom a place of
dread instead of learning. An overly strict educator can decrease motivation in the
classroom.

4. Respect through fear.

There are two levels of respect: honor and fear. Anything done in fear produces lower
results than from honor. Example: If a student is doing an assignment, he may be
concentrating more on how demanding the educator will be instead of focusing on
what he can learn.

5. Students rebel against the rules in protest.

An educator who is overly strict could cause students to break rules as a form of
protest. It may become a joke amongst the students of how they anger the educator.
This is not normal, but it is possible.
 Chapter 6 – Conclusion
A hidden gem in classroom management is teacher personality and how it can influence
the structure of the classroom. When teacher personalities are discussed, the two most
common types mentioned are strict and lenient. There is no right or wrong personality for
an educator to posses; however, there are pros and cons to each personality and certain
classroom problems may result from the educator’s personality.

Teacher personality may be difficult for educators to exam because many educators
instruct according to inherent nature. Therefore, reflecting upon personality can cause
personal distress because no educator wants to feel like he is impeding the classroom
environment. *It should be noted that this is not to tell educators what personalities they
should possess, but to assist in case a certain personality is impeding the classroom.

Another aspect that should be implied is that strict or lenient is not a static state of being,
they have varying degrees of measure. With an increase of intensity comes an
intensification of pros and cons. Each personality is like a double edge sword that helps
and hurts at the same time. That is why it is always recommended to find a healthy
balance to assist instruction and learning.

Broadly speaking, a serious and strict teacher will contribute in propriety students to
concentrate on their class and their assignments. Therefore, their marks will be high and
they will pass the class because their commitment, and their fear of punishment from the
teacher. To be honest, this method brings with it both pros and cons. To illustrate this
point, consider physics teacher is always strict in the class, assigns a lot of tasks daily.
How will the students feel about this teacher and this subject? Maybe they feel progress
in understanding the subject, but later they will find the class tedious and dulls. They will
hate both the teacher and the classes. They do not have intrepidity to ask any question.

On the other hand, humorous and easygoing teachers , those whom always laughing ,
always joking, their lessons will be fantastic. The time of the lesson ends quickly, why?
Because the students’ mental health will be more better than the classes of a serious
teachers. Good teachers transfer their knowledge and the concepts to their students by
using modern methods; attractive, funny. Their impact on the students will be high, foster
their skills and their practices. Surely, students' readiness will be high because they are
psychologically comfortable.
Teacher and student's relationship has always been in questions. At one side, there are the
people who speak in the favour of a friendly approach of teaching the students whereas
on the other side, some people believe that teachers must be strict and should not tolerate
any negligence from the students. In rest of the essay, I shall analyse both sides of the
arguments and present my opinion based on that.

The commenters who prefer the strict approach of teaching for students often reason with
the nature of human. They strongly believe that in order to teach something one has to
impose the rules and majority of humans do not follow it until they are being strictly
forced to act on it. For example, talking about students if teachers do not set deadline on
the classwork or assignments, no student would do it. Moreover, the strict behaviour of a
teacher causes the student to complete their work with attention. According to the people,
strictness of a teacher is a key towards making the student valuable.

On the other hand, however, the people who prefer teacher's lenience over strictness for
students provide the reason of better learning in friendly environment. They believe that
humans understand the language of love. The unnecessary strictness may divert a
student's mind towards negative things. They argue that students learn more efficiently
and quickly when they are not subjected under stress. A teacher's light and good sense of
humour may help a student to learn even the most difficult parts of the subject.
Furthermore, students feel more comfortable to the teachers. As a result, they ask
questions without hesitation.

Each style has a way of benefiting the classroom depending on the educator’s objectives.
There are many other factors involved with deciding which personality to utilize such as
student age, student level, grades or no grades, curved grades, etc… For example, a class
offered to working adults who are not receiving grades or a certificate may allow the
educator to be more lenient with late arrivals as opposed to a university class where
grades are being curved. In the first instance, the adult students are paying, and since
there are no grades or certificates involved, it is up to the student to reap the benefits of
their money. On the other hand, in a university class where grades are curved, it can
affect a student’s grade point average; a set of rules such as being late can create the
ability to curve grades easier.
 Bibliography
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacher
 http://festivals.iloveindia.com/teachers-day/types-of-teachers/index.html
 https://welovewriting.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/being-a-strict-teacher-
is-it-good-or-bad/
 http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1000142405270230421390457909530336
8899132
 http://www.writeexpress.com/writing-outline.html
 http://work.chron.com/hazards-being-teacher-9309.html

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Japan

 PLJ Volume 54 Fourth Quarter- Cagliostro M. Martinez

 The Law Governing the Relationship Between Teachers and Students –

Maria Lourdes A. Sales

 http://www.chanrobles.com/bataspambansabilang232.htm#.WEOwEtJ97IV

 http://www.tesolclass.com/classroom-management/strict-or-lenient-
teacher-personalities/

 Research Paper of Aira Dianne Angkiko (2015) – A Study on How a

Teacher’s Strict Approach Affects the Students’ Academic Performance
Appendix
Survey Results
In your opinion, what do you thinks the best approach
for teachers to use among their students?
What is your opinion on strict teachers?