Category: Voices and Experiences

There’s a problem in our schools. You’ll see it on a child’s face when they come home. You’ll hear it in the way they describe something that left them feeling humiliated, angry, or confused—and often, all three at once. It happens when school staff use discipline strategies that completely contradict the values a student has… Read more

I was in the car with my children when I first heard the story of Chase, the 15-year-old boy who was shot and killed by police, in Surrey. It’s deeply distressing to hear this, knowing full well that my kids are recalibrating their worldview. Kids can be shot. My children sometimes process auditory information more… Read more

Collective punishment is never explicitly mentioned in the School Act or BC education policies, but it is made very clear that the system is meant to be fair, accountable, and respectful. The School act states the discipline in schools must be “similar to that of a kind, firm and judicious parent” (Section 76(3)). I consider… Read more

Imagine you’re at work, focused on your tasks, when your boss announces that no one can leave until two distracted coworkers finish their work. You’d be outraged, right? Yet, this exact approach—punishing an entire group for the actions of a few—is sometimes still used in elementary classrooms. In a recent article, Blair questions the pedagogical… Read more

Mr Trayvon admits that he’s used collective punishment and regrets it because of the impact this has on the classroom culture Read more

Traditional punitive measures like collective punishment often fail to resolve behavioural issues, instead creating resentment and division. Restorative practices offer a better alternative by focusing on repairing harm, fostering empathy, and promoting accountability. This article introduces key restorative techniques for educators, including: By shifting the focus from punishment to healing, restorative practices not only improve… Read more

The practice of collective punishment in schools sparks strong opinions among educators, parents, and students alike. While some argue it helps maintain control and sends a message about group accountability, critics point out that it unfairly penalizes uninvolved individuals and damages trust within the classroom. This article dives into the debate, exploring: The piece concludes… Read more

As a solution architect, I spend my days optimising complex systems—making them efficient and purposeful. For the past eight years, I’ve had to apply that same lens as a parent navigating the public education system. What I’ve found is deeply troubling. The system isn’t broken; it’s functioning as designed—forcing children with disabilities to mask, comply,… Read more

Group punishment doesn’t fix behaviour – it just makes kids hate school, in The Conversation. explains that collective punishment might seem effective in achieving short-term compliance, but is both unfair and ineffective in the long run. This article explains: Key takeaway: Collective punishment may offer a quick fix, but it erodes trust and fails to… Read more