PyariCGudia,
You teach as well? VENT AWAY! One of the things I've noticed is how things have seemed to drastically change (in not too many years) regarding how parents raise their kids.
I'm in my twenties, but I notice a big difference. I remember that when I was growing up...... If I ever came home complaining that so n so teacher was "unfair" or "mean".......my parents calmly listened to me......BUT they also understood that I'm a child and I see things from a whiny, defensive, kids' point-of-view........and that the teacher is the adult and the professional. To be fair, my parents would even tell me where I went wrong in the scenario and explain to me why the teacher might have gotten upset.
They understood....that although I was their daughter......and usually quiet by nature........that I was NOT ALWAYS responsible, or careful, or bright, or even innocent for that matter. My mom would say that your parents bring you into this world and your teachers...by imparting knowledge....help you reach the sky.
If I flunked a test.......my parents knew that it was because I was too lazy to study for it or that my SUPER CARELESS MISTAKES on the test are a CLEAR REFLECTION that I didn't care to put in the effort. And because they understood and saw this..........my parents held ME responsible as opposed to blaming/complaining about the teacher.
I LOVE IT when a fair-minded and professional principal tells the parent to "Talk to the teacher. I am not the one managing the classroom".......which is an obvious and sensible response.
I'm not saying ALL parents are like this. I've seen MANY parents who are responsible, MashaAllah. And there ARE some teachers who are very unprofessional and shouldn't be anywhere near children.
In the past, I've given detentions for chewing gum, returning a pencil by tossing it in the air, not following directions, disrupting class, consistently being irresponsible, mouthing-off to the teachers, bullying, etc. MANY SCHOOLS (public and private) **even have penalties such as detentions for students who consistently fail to do homework or fail to follow directions. **MANY SCHOOLS even send parents the discipline papers which explain the consequences for each infraction/offense. I guess some parents don't read the papers.
I'm not perfect but I'm firm with my students because I want them to be academically strong and ready for the next grade. That's why I don't believe in sugar-coating things and babying them. I tell my students........"If I as your teacher can take out the time to type hand-outs that are written neatly and clearly to facilitate YOUR learning............then YOU AS MY STUDENTS........better take the time out to give me assignments that are neatly written and that are indented, that have appropriate punctuation, that have clarity, and reflect effort. I don't want anything less than those basic requirements.....or you'll do it right!"
I've even given students writing penalties (write a line over n over again) because they consistently don't bother to complete their work thoroughly, or frequently fail to capitalize the beginning of a sentence, or turn in their work late all the time. And I've noticed........so far...........that since kids don't like the writing penalties............then soon start to shape-up and do the work correctly and responsibly. Then they get praised for it......and it motivates them to keep up the progress.
I call it tough love.