Design a dialogue space (P1)

I am currently employed by a private elementary school. My observations while attending a private school differ significantly from when I attended a public school.

Typically, at the beginning of the school year, a notebook describing all the school's rules will be sent to parents to review and sign to indicate their agreement. If there is anything in the notebook that parents do not comprehend, they can ask for clarification, or if it is insufficient, they can initiate a discussion. Some parental opinions can be modified if the school deems them reasonable. Certain aspects cannot be modified due to insufficient resources or educational perspectives. The school board of managers will explain why these rules cannot be modified at that time. I recognize that the process is considerably more transparent because of reciprocal listening.

By analogy, students are familiarized with the norms and given their opinions. Students will be disseminated school regulations to follow, and they will also be able to remark on certain matters. Uniform regulation is an example: what to wear in winter, what to wear in summer, girls typically wear skirts, boys typically wear pants, etc. However, if a girl is uncomfortable wearing a dress, she can tell her parents, and then they can discuss with the teacher, ''Is it possible for my child to wear pants?'' then the rule can be adjusted with a valid reason. In other words, the rules only support in the way that everyone agrees to do something and any inappropriate rule can also be considered.

At the beginning of each school year, there is a so-called student orientation activity. The students and the head teacher of a class will collaborate to determine the class rules. Usually, the teacher in that session will play a role in coordinating the discussion and agreement among the students. This means that teachers will suggest how a classroom should look, how they want the class to function, and any rules they deem necessary. To avoid impeding the learning progress of the class, for instance, it will be determined how to manage students who do not cooperate with others or who influence the education of other students. Students can then be the ones to propose classroom rule modifications actively. In addition, you can also write a letter to someone who resembles the principal about your opinions. You can express your desires by arguing why a specific behavior is inappropriate and actively suggest a direction for change. After receiving these opinions, the school board of managers or authorized teachers will consult with you to make a final decision.

This isn't easy to accomplish for everyone. For instance, we will train teachers to coordinate student compliance with classroom norms. But everything will still be based on one foundation of ensuring the essential elements of the class so that teachers have good coordination. Students cannot arbitrarily set rules according to their opinions but can give their views to teachers. However, some teachers demonstrate attentiveness and allow students to communicate freely. Some teachers may make it more challenging for students to express their opinions in their presence.

My boss, the school's principal, has a deep affection and respect for children, which is a fascinating fact. Thus, this spirit of respect nearly permeates the entire institution. On the other hand, the implementation procedure also depends on the abilities and development of individuals. There may be numerous divergent viewpoints, but the general attitude will be relatively open.