Suspension as a punishment is archaic

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing with reference to student suspension as a punishment. It feels kind of old-fashioned, like something from a different era. It is time we look at it again and maybe find better ways to help students when they mess up.

Suspending students does not always solve problems, sometimes it may make things worse. Instead of getting to the root of the problem, suspension just keeps them away from school. That can stop them from learning and growing. Experts say there are better ways, like talking things out and finding out why a student is acting the way he or she is. We need to think about what helps students grow, instead of just punishing them.

Besides, the suspension does not just affect a student’s grades. It can mess with their feelings about themselves and make them feel down. In today’s world, we know more about how important it is to understand our feelings and learn how to have a good relationship with others.

Instead of just punishing students, we can find ways to help them learn from their mistakes and become better people. It is not just about them – it is about all of us working together to make our school a positive place.

Let us ask our teachers and school leaders to try different ways to help students when they make mistakes. We can create schools where everyone feels respected and supported. That is a much better way to prepare for the real world.

JEHOSHUA BARRETT-COLLINS