A Teacher who Discriminates...

Discrimination is the practice of treating one or more persons differently from how you treat others by being bias, unjust, less tolerant or less fair to them base on various reasons.

Teachers are human beings and as such, embedded with bias and social predujices. While it is highly unlikely that a teacher would consciously act on these biases which eventually result in discrimination,it does happen.Teachers must watch out not to handle pupils base on their social class, ethnicity, intelligence, behavior, physical disabilities, religious backgrounds, etc

The experiences children get in their classrooms to a large extent, determine what and how they see themselves generally.While we do not intend to discriminate, subtle differences in perception and handling them go a long way to have some long lasting effects...

Effects of Discrimination on Pupils

*** They are likely to have negative attitude about school, increased absenteeism, and risk of being a dropout.

*** It lowers their academic motivation and performance.

*** It leads to inferiority complex and lack of self esteem.

*** It results in anxiety, sadness, feeling of guilt, emptiness and hatred between pupils.

*** It could make them either vulnerable to bullies or become bullies and erratic children.

*** Discrimination could make a child become suicidal when it gets out of hand.

How to Avoid Discrimination

*** Avoid Favouritism : Most of us are guilty of this even if we don't admit it. One way to help ourselves is by not making it conspicuous to avoid segregation.

*** Ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities, participation and consequences. Do not leave out any!

***Have equal academic and behavior expectation for all pupils: Do not make things easier for a particular set of pupil.

*** Allow team work: let them work together because, a pupil may be good at writing while another be more creative. Let them explore themselves and support each other to achieve a set goal. Do not put only the best in a group and the struggling ones together in another group. Let them complement each other as it Forster's unity.

***Check your language (verbal and body language): Teachers must be conscious of this. No negative comments must proceed out of the mouth of a teacher to "wash down" a disobedient pupil especially before other pupils. Also, our body language and actions sometimes make our pupil see themselves as less important. Do not walk away or abruptly hush them while they are talking even when something comes up,you could subtly ask them to come back later when u are less busy and when they do return, please give them a listening ear this time around.

*** Set ground rules prohibiting pupils from using derogatory words on their colleagues (especially in class). There should be consequences for this. Discrimination is considered violation of enunciated human right.(Equality Act, 2010)

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Did you feel or experience any form of discrimination from your teachers while in school? How was the feeling like? Do u mind sharing? Let's talk about these "protected characteristics"