The fact is, I still do it – as I said, the program is rather sensationalized. Teachers here today do need to be more careful about the way we touch a student, but there really isn’t anything to prevent a teacher giving a distressed child a hug. Yes, there is a risk it could be misinterpreted – but while that might cause a few moments of embarrassment for a teacher if they haven’t done anything wrong, they really do have nothing to fear. The system still assumes teachers are doing the right thing in the absence of pretty considerable evidence that they’re not. I understand that in NSW – where the program this clip comes from originates – the rules and guidelines are somewhat more restrictive than where I live, but the idea that a teacher can’t touch children even to the extent of separating fighting children is ridiculous.
The Changing Way of Schooling5
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