TASK 1: REPORT WRITING (INTERVIEW)

1.0 INTRODUCTION
In this globalization era of the 21-st century world, education plays an important role in
developing a holistic human capital. Educators play the vital role in shaping students’ and
country’s future and no other personnel can have a more profound influence than a teacher.
Educators especially novice teachers face multiple emerging and contemporary challenges in
managing disciplinary issues (Gordon, 2001). There are many challenges and disruptive
behaviour problems that happens in school every day. Malaysia’s Former Education Minister
Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said that students’ disciplinary problems like playing truant, taking
drugs, bullying and others which worried the public must be given attention and solutions
(Malaymail, 2007). Since pupils in school are highly involving in weighty problems as such in
schools, teachers face challenges in disciplining the pupils. Teachers tend to face stress,
emotional breakdown when it comes to handling disciplinary problems. An interview session was
conducted with two educationists to get their opinions pertaining this issue and challenges.

2.0 ANALYSIS OF THE INTERVIEW

2.1 Teaching as a Professional Profession

Based on the interview, it can concluded that both teacher agreed the main concept of
teaching as a profession is the person that posses a specific skills, use of expert or specialist
knowledge for a certain job, and responsibility to clients (students). One of the teacher said, in
Finland only the best and brightest are accepted in their schools of education preparing to be
teachers. It is considered one of the most highly esteemed professions in Finland and not
surprisingly one of the most competitive in terms of entry. Besides, based on the interview with
both teachers, there are many charatericstics of a teacher as a professional. It includes work
ethics, style of communication, deep knowledge and passion for their subject matter, community-
building skills, and excellent preparation and organization skills

2.2 Challenges and Suggestions to Overcome

According to the discussion about the challenges faced by the educators, both
interviewees said that as an educator we should not let emotions to take over our actions. By
referring to Cikgu Azizan’s case, they mentioned that Cikgu Azizan slapped the pupil because his
temper was kicked off with the pupil’s continuous disciplinary problem. As a teacher managing
emotions is one of the biggest challenges when handling complicated issues while in job.

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Suggestion given by first teacher to overcome this emotional problem is, by not taking it personally.
Second teacher mentioned that, teachers can show their concern towards a child, but they should
also be aware of their boundaries and should not let the emotions to make the decision. Teachers
should always discuss with counsellors or also the school principal in order to make a better
decision. Both interviewees emphasise that, educators should always ensure that each action
which is being taken should adhere to the Teacher’s Code of Ethics.

In addition, educators face challenges in building a good rapport with the pupils in school.
As both of them mentioned, teachers should always investigate the cause behind every child’s
problematic behaviours in school. Sometimes the pupils might come from a broken family or a
family who shows less love and care which cause them to involve in this issue. According to
interviewee two, to overcome this challenge, educators should find a way to understand the child’s
behaviour and find an ethical way to solve the problem. Physical punishment does not solve
problems but would only develop negative attitude among the children and impede mental health
development (Noguera, 2003). Instead of giving punishments which is totally against the
Teacher’s Code of Ethics, educators can imply negative reinforcement which is not physically
harmful or send them for counselling sessions in school.

One of the most significant challenges regarding teacher career is building a healthy
relationship with the parents. Developing a healthy parent-teacher relationship is a practical way
to improve pupil’s academic performance and social development in school. Materialistic parents
who run over jobs don’t have the time to keep in track of the children’s progress. As suggested
by Interviewee two, open days or parents-teacher’s meetings can be organised frequently so that
the parents will have the chance to keep track of their children’s progress. The bond between the
teacher and parent is the invisible bond of maturity which affects the child’s growth and
development. Rampaola (2006), mentioned that meeting teachers in school is a way to brainstorm
possible ways to solve the problem faced by a child.

3.0 CONCLUSION

Teachers needs to be responsible, accountable and act professionally to uphold the

greatness of the teaching profession. Therefore, as a future educator, adhering to the Teacher’s
Code of Ethics while in profession is a must to uphold the honour and dignity of the teaching
profession in our country. In a nutshell, teachers are required to comply with the Teacher’s Code
of Ethics outlined in order to carry out their assigned tasks professionally and to ease all the
challenges in the teaching profession.

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REFERENCES

Gordon, D. G. (2001). Classroom management problems and solutions: A few basic guidelines
for classroom management can improve student behavior and reduce stress on the music
educator. Music Educators Journal, 88(2), 17-23.

Malay Mail. (2017, August 22). Disciplinary problems a challenge for education blueprint second
wave, says minister | Malay Mail. Retrieved March 6, 2019, from
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2017/08/22/disciplinary-problems-a
challenge-for-education-blueprint-second-wave-says/1447737

Noguera, P. A. (2003). Schools, prisons, and social implications of punishment: Rethinking

disciplinary practices. Theory into Practice, 42(4), 341-350.

Online, T. S. (2017, August 06). Teachers, learners need emotional intelligence. Retrieved
March 19, 2019 from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2017/08/06/teachers
learners-need emotional-intelligence/

Rampaola Mokhele, P. (2006). The teacher–learner relationship in the management of discipline

in public high schools. Africa education review, 3(1-2), 148-159.

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APPENDICES

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Interview Session with Teacher A from SK Jejawi, Perlis.

Interview Session with Teacher B from SK Jejawi, Perlis.