by Muyiwa Olaoye
Ancient philosophers, such as Plato and Socrates, emphasized the importance of definitions as a means to solve societal challenges. Applying this principle to education, defining and maintaining the boundaries between teachers and students becomes a cornerstone for preserving professionalism and ensuring effective teaching. This analysis explores the roles of teachers, highlights common boundary violations, and provides actionable recommendations for restoring the nobility of the teaching profession.
- They Are Your Students, Not Your Friends
Teachers often hear that being friendly with students can foster trust and better communication. While this is true, friendliness must not be mistaken for familiarity or friendship. Crossing this boundary can result in a loss of respect and authority.
Being friendly means being approachable, patient, and empathetic. Teachers should create a supportive environment where students feel safe to express themselves. However, sharing personal struggles, engaging in overly familiar conversations, or forming emotional dependencies crosses professional boundaries.
For instance, a teacher who shared personal marital issues with students lost their respect and authority in the classroom. In another case, a teacher faced embarrassment when students, emboldened by an overly casual relationship, played a prank on him. These examples highlight the dangers of overstepping boundaries.
Students may confide in teachers, but the reverse must never occur. Teachers should avoid sharing frustrations or grievances with students and seek professional help or mentorship instead.
- They Are Your Students, Not Your Business Partners
Money and financial dealings should never create a link between teachers and students. Allowing financial transactions erodes the impartiality of the teacher-student relationship and opens the door to favoritism, exploitation, or misunderstandings.
Some teachers sell materials or extra lessons directly to students without school management’s involvement. While seemingly harmless, this can create transactional relationships that harm the integrity of education. Teachers should involve the school administration in such matters to ensure transparency and fairness.
In one case, a teacher managing a savings scheme for students misused the funds for personal expenses. The fallout tarnished his reputation and created unnecessary tension. Similarly, teachers should avoid patronizing student-run businesses within the school, as these transactions disrupt professional boundaries and create potential power imbalances.
- They Are Your Students, Not Your Family Members
While teachers are often encouraged to treat their students as their own children, this should not translate to assuming parental roles or authority.
An incident in Ikorodu, Lagos, where a teacher slapped a student and justified her actions by claiming she treated the child as her own, underscores the risks of overstepping boundaries. Parents, understandably, viewed the teacher’s actions as excessive and inappropriate. Teachers must strike a balance between guiding students and respecting the authority of their parents.
Additionally, teachers should avoid instigating students against their parents. Even in cases where students face challenges at home, the teacher’s role is to guide and support, not to interfere or encourage rebellion.
- They Are Your Students, Not Your Congregants
Religion is another area where teachers sometimes overstep their professional roles. Many educators hold positions in religious organizations and may inadvertently bring their spiritual responsibilities into the classroom. While spiritual guidance can benefit some students, it must not interfere with educational objectives.
Some teachers use class time for prayer sessions, prophecy, or deliverance rituals. While these actions may be well-intentioned, they are unprofessional and disruptive to the learning the environment. Teachers should respect the diverse beliefs of their students and focus on delivering the curriculum during class hours.
If a student seeks spiritual guidance, teachers should provide it in an appropriate, private setting, ensuring it does not disrupt teaching responsibilities or impose personal beliefs on others. Teachers must also avoid turning counseling sessions into deliverance rituals or “flexing spiritual muscles” by triggering students into altered states of consciousness. These actions are unprofessional and detract from the primary purpose of education.
