Since the COVID-19 pandemic, students are prone to “falling ill” on Fridays, as if there is a new “sick time syndrome” pandemic going on. A lot of them are fit as a fiddle the day before, but sick as a cat the following day.
It is relatively simple for students to apply for sick leave. They only have to ask their parents to call and inform the teacher of the reason for their absence, and complete an application afterward.
As the school relaxed the rules for applying for leave during the pandemic, a number of students — especially those with a passive attitude toward learning — exploited the situation and began regularly applying for leave, giving themselves a “three-day weekend.”
A while ago, I had a student who often stayed up late on his phone and as a result could not wake up early to go to school. His parents came up with different excuses for the child’s absence.
I told them politely that from then on, I needed to see a medication bag or other proof for sick leave, while personal leave would need to be applied for in advance, otherwise the leave applications would not be approved.
Generally speaking, teachers usually believe parents when they say that their children are not feeling well.
However, my colleagues soon realized that the parents are the root of the problem.
As a result, teachers have to ensure parents understand that “we know that you are lying when you call in sick for your child” without provoking them to ensure the student’s learning process is not compromised.
Although teachers have the child’s interests at heart, and our messages are often conveyed in the most tactful and gracious manner, parents still occasionally lash out verbally.
If parents start faking sick leave for their children, they will have to bear the consequences of spoiling them. Even if parents accuse teachers of being difficult, we would be no closer to solving the problem if teachers just turned a blind eye and everyone started minding their own business.
Teachers are facing an uphill battle when it comes to disciplining students. I think it is safe to assume that no one wants to see teachers strictly playing by the book just to protect themselves from false accusations or conflict in an environment meant to inspire and encourage learning.
I have received humiliating rebukes from parents and accusations that put me in a tight spot. A parent accused me of giving her daughter “unfriendly looks” in class, resulting in her daughter losing interest in school.
In the face of unreasonable students and parents, I have no idea how much longer I can put up with such nonsense.
Lin Cheng-wu is a junior-high school teacher.
Translated by Rita Wang
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