For those who don't know, my school is in a borough of London called Lambeth. It's one of the toughest in terms of gangs, gun crime, knife crime - and generally some parts of the borough e.g. Brixton are considered to be very unpleasant places to live. This has repercussions on the classroom (seeing as many of the kids live in Brixton), as we have some of the toughest, hardest kids you would ever hope to meet. You know you can cut it as a teacher if you can teach in a Lambeth school (and by teach, I mean - keep the kids in the class and not killing each other!).
So that's why I think this has just got to be the most stupid, most absurd thing I've ever heard:
Foot massages calm unruly pupils
Disruptive schoolchildren in south London will be given foot massages by therapists to help get their aggressiveness under control.
Reflexologists will visit 74 primary and secondary schools in Lambeth and tend to children under 13.
Lambeth Council has budgeted £90,000 next year for reflexologists from London-based charity Bud Umbrella.
The council said it makes "no apologies for using different and innovative methods" to tackle aggressive children.
"We need to deal with the root causes of young people's behavioural problems and nip them in the bud" - Lambeth Council spokeswoman
Bud Umbrella's website says the therapy can calm aggressive feelings, improve listening skills and concentration as well as relieve anxiety and stress.
A spokeswoman for Lambeth Council said: "We make no apologies for using different and innovative methods, but this obviously won't replace more traditional ways of dealing with anti-social behaviour.
"We need to deal with the root causes of young people's behavioural problems and nip them in the bud."
The council said it had put an extra £2m into youth services and its programmes used traditional and innovative measures to tackle anti-social behaviour.
It said its programmes had led to a 50% increase in attendance and 60% decrease in exclusions among young people in the borough.
Reflexologists apply pressure on specific points on the feet to treat a number of conditions.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/london/7707019.stm
Published: 2008/11/03 18:43:52 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
What?! You've got to be kidding, right? Now isn't that the most stupid thing you ever heard?
You know it was so stupid that even LBC, "London's Biggest Conversation" had something to say about it - and I can assure it was not in the least bit complementary. What stupid burke thought up this one? Any idiot can see that this is a completely ridiculous idea.
So when little Miss X (because I can't use her name, I'm still at the school) kicks off this week in my lessons, I'm supposed to be assured that her behaviour will be dealt with seriously and severely by a ... reflexologist? (What does that even mean, anyway, aren't they just people who test your reflexes? Suppose it wouldn't be so bad if Miss X got a whack on the knee with a hammer when she got sent out...)
It seriously beggars belief, and poses the question - what planet are these people on?! - cos it sure ain't the same as the rest of us! I dare any of the idiotic bureaucrats who came up with this dumb idea to come into my classroom after their 'treatment' has been administered - and just see how 'beneficial' its been to the student... bet they wouldn't last 5 minutes in the class!
What is the world coming to?
2 comments:
This storm in a teacup has been going the rounds all week. Everyone is fulminating about it! However, nowhere has anyone actually discussed what reflexology is, and if the treatment is likely to be effective. (I confess complete ignorance myself, but would be interested to see some informed and reasoned information. The amount of money involved is peanuts; indeed, if the whole program only helps a half a dozen kids to stay in school, and get an education and a job, it will save far more money than it costs.
Sure it's stupid... but that's the Brit's for you.
Aren't you glad you're coming home to Aus?
Where unruly students aren't dealt with at all... lol
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