It’s clear that the way schools operate needs real reform. Students are constantly facing heavy control and reduced autonomy, with little to no support

School has shifted into a place of control, restriction and deprival of autonomy, while harsh academic pressure keeps building. The power imbalance between staff and students is so stark that discipline often replaces genuine interaction. Students are expected to show constant obedience, with rules like no talking back to teachers, always listening without question, strict uniform requirements, limits on self expression and heavy digital restrictions.

Students never get to have a say in the policies that shape their daily lives, even when those rules directly affect their wellbeing. Instead of being environments that support growth and individuality, schools often prioritise compliance over connection, leaving students feeling unheard and over managed.

There is also a huge imbalance in fairness between students and staff, where the rules are completely one sided. Staff can have long nails, wear nail polish, choose shoes that aren’t enclosed and even eat in class, while students are punished for the same things. Teachers can wear makeup or choose skirts and shorts in their chosen length, but students are restricted and disciplined for expressing themselves in the same ways.

Staff are allowed to keep their phones with them and even use them during class, yet students face strict bans and consequences for doing so. These double standards make the inequality between students and teachers even more obvious, and leave students feeling controlled instead of respected.

Students are also rarely spoken to in a friendly or respectful manner by staff. When a student tries to express a concern or share how they feel, it is almost always brushed off or dismissed. Their worries, emotions and experiences are treated as unimportant, while adults expect full compliance without offering the same level of understanding or care in return. This constant dismissal adds to the power imbalance, making students feel small and unheard in a place that is supposed to support them.

Detentions, suspensions and other disciplinary actions do not help a student understand the consequences of their behaviour in any meaningful way. Discipline should never be used unfairly or without listening to the student's side first. If a student expresses feelings of unfairness, disrespect or mistreatment, they deserve to be heard without the threat of punishment. Disciplinary action should only be considered when something is genuinely serious, and even then it needs to be paired with wellbeing check ins, guidance and a gentle approach that supports the student instead of scaring them.

In general, schools need to shift away from control and compliance, and move towards respect, collaboration and genuine care. Students deserve to be heard, included and treated as human beings whose voices matter. When schools prioritise wellbeing, fairness and authentic connection, they become places where students can grow with confidence instead of fear. Real change begins when we recognise these issues and choose to build an environment that values people over power.

Submitted November 30, 2025 at 05:56PM by According_Step7997 https://ift.tt/1aLrXHt