The boy’s father said that he teaches his children that respect has to be earned. OK, fine.. So the headteacher has not earned the boy’s respect, but in turn, by acting like a delinquent is the boy earning the headteacher’s respect? I think not. He’s doing the complete opposite. This is exactly the kind of behaviour that leads to kids having no respect for themselves and showing no respect to others. 

After reading this article, it really doesn’t come as a surprise that there are so many “problem” teenagers today. Education is not just about Shakespeare and science, it’s about learning social principles and how to be a successful and functional member of society. 

When I was in high school I wanted to be a teacher, but after moving to a rougher part of England when I was 15 (leaving the good high school and Headmistress Robinson behind), I saw how my classmates were acting and how they had no respect for the person standing at the front of the room, and decided that it wasn’t for me. I read stories of teachers being afraid of their students, and not correcting them when they’ve done something wrong – be it a spelling mistake or getting into a fight. This is how this generation of young people is being taught - that they can get away with anything. 

I sincerely hope that the school and school board side with the Mr. Harrison on this issue. The word “respect” has now become what gangs are fighting over and has lost all of it’s meaning. Respect is not what you get for being on the handle end of a knife, or being behind the trigger of a gun; nor does it come from being a yobbo or a hoodlum. Respect has to be learnt and earned or life will prove to be extremely difficult. 

This story is developing, as the boy’s four-and-a-half day suspension ends tomorrow……