Before I go into the discourse, I'd like to consider the value and importance of a teacher. Though where I come from, this noble profession isn't given the nobility it deserves. For the most part, it's regarded and accepted as a meagre job offer. However, when the world understands the value that a true teacher and the teaching profession hold, we would accord them the honour they duly deserve.
There's this famous teacher in Nigeria I came to know about two years ago, I guess. He embodies what I see as the quality a teacher should possess. Maybe because he has owned the profession with pride, decency and value, which has brought much value to him as well. His content as a “teacher” online resonates well, more than just the subject of teaching but life-impacting lessons to students mainly, and beyond.
His name is Teacher Chike. Perhaps, you'd like check him up online.
I'd like to see the teaching profession as a responsibility to build and nurture, beyond just dishing out knowledge. When it's understood that a child's early lessons in life and their perception, mindset and view are a function of a teacher, after the parents of course. What is not largely considered is the influence and impact of teachers on a child's life－especially pupils. They spend considerably more time with teachers, affirming their impact.
Should a teacher's role end in the classroom? Are they within their authority to instil discipline in a child outside of the classroom and school environment? What happens when this discipline goes wrong, will they be protected? Let's consider these important questions as regards the discourse presented.
So far, you'll understand that I subscribe to the idea that a teacher's role doesn't end in the classroom. Some teachers take the time to entertain the concerns of their pupils or students outside the classroom. Someone like that Teacher Chike I mentioned is one who presumably does that. And it's not only on the part of their academic needs, but also morality, life-impacting lessons, purpose, destiny and so on. Hence, a teacher's role doesn't end in the classroom. They nurture, not just teach. There should be boundaries though.
If they nurture, then they should be able to discipline, inside and outside of the school. Perhaps, this wouldn't be a discussion in other parts of the world where even parents are only allowed a level of discipline on their children. Here, discipline from parents and teachers alike has gone on to shape a lot of children. It doesn't feel good at the moment, but later we grew to appreciate it. A teacher should be able to teach and discipline a child even outside the school walls. However, with a limit and in love.
This brings me to the next question; will the teacher be protected when this discipline goes wrong? This is where I'll emphasise that the kind of discipline matters. Some teachers maltreat in the name of discipline and no parent would want that for their child. While I agree that a teacher should be able to discipline inside and outside school, it should be done rightly, with limits and in love. Whether they would be protected or not could be dependent on how they instilled the discipline and also how much the parents and society accept/appreciates it.