<![CDATA[So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent?]]>

leon T:
I know of a school principal that ban the teachers from emailing, whatsapp each other regarding work after working hours (6 or 7pm i think). this is to promote work life balance. maybe this should extend to students too - teachers should not whatsapp students after working hours too..

when son was in secondary school, teachers would WhatsApp last minute homework at night.
students need to rest too.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/91663/so-who-is-at-fault-here-teacher-or-parentRSS for NodeThu, 23 Apr 2026 15:36:50 GMTWed, 17 Oct 2018 19:01:19 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 16 Oct 2018 15:18:59 GMT]]>I know of a school principal that ban the teachers from emailing, whatsapp each other regarding work after working hours (6 or 7pm i think). this is to promote work life balance. maybe this should extend to students too - teachers should not whatsapp students after working hours too…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1879117https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1879117Tue, 16 Oct 2018 15:18:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Sat, 11 Aug 2018 02:44:33 GMT]]>

vinegar:
sleepy:

I don't like the practice of some teachers communicating through whatapp. That gave kids an excuse that they need to constantly check their mobile phone but in actual fact 99% of the time is simply nonsence chat or spamming within group chat. Complete waste of time


By the way, I don't think that teacher is rude (on page 1). Tone is matter of fact

Absolutely agree. My ds spends a lot of times screening thru the whatsapp msg. As my ds is subject rep fr math, the teacher always whatsapp or call him to get him to coordinate such as try to contact student A to go fr make up test or contact student B to pass up homework.

Wah how old is your boy?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1866147https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1866147Sat, 11 Aug 2018 02:44:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:26:09 GMT]]>

vinegar:


...My ds spends a lot of times screening thru the whatsapp msg. As my ds is subject rep fr math, the teacher always whatsapp or call him to get him to coordinate such as try to contact student A to go fr make up test or contact student B to pass up homework.
:nunchuk: Cry foul! Child labour!

I found an indirect way to limit their screen time. Whenever sch hv any extra learning that interests DC, I'll happily sign forms to enrol. These are lifeskills & tech-skills type such as Python Coding, Financial Spreadsheet Presentation, etc. There were ceramics & clay sculpturing, cooking & baking types which didn't interest DC as we do a lot of this in their younger days.

Since pre-occupied with constructive learning after sch engagements, CCAs & 3rd language, I noticed all the chats involvement trickles to the bear necessary chats. I'm satisfied how things turned out. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865560https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865560Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:26:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:15:16 GMT]]>Q: So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent?


A: Gahment. Because it’s always Cheng Hu fault.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865554https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865554Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:15:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:53:51 GMT]]>

sleepy:
I don't like the practice of some teachers communicating through whatapp. That gave kids an excuse that they need to constantly check their mobile phone but in actual fact 99% of the time is simply nonsence chat or spamming within group chat. Complete waste of time


By the way, I don't think that teacher is rude (on page 1). Tone is matter of fact
Absolutely agree. My ds spends a lot of times screening thru the whatsapp msg. As my ds is subject rep fr math, the teacher always whatsapp or call him to get him to coordinate such as try to contact student A to go fr make up test or contact student B to pass up homework.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865549https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865549Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:53:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:41:53 GMT]]>

sleepy:
I don't like the practice of some teachers communicating through whatapp. That gave kids an excuse that they need to constantly check their mobile phone but in actual fact 99% of the time is simply nonsence chat or spamming within group chat. Complete waste of time


By the way, I don't think that teacher is rude (on page 1). Tone is matter of fact
Agree. Our time don't even have mobile. And many of our parents are illiterate!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865490https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865490Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:41:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:16:58 GMT]]>I don’t like the practice of some teachers communicating through whatapp. That gave kids an excuse that they need to constantly check their mobile phone but in actual fact 99% of the time is simply nonsence chat or spamming within group chat. Complete waste of time


By the way, I don’t think that teacher is rude (on page 1). Tone is matter of fact

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865477https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865477Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:16:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 04:25:27 GMT]]>primary school kids now have a lot of homework. back then when son was in p1, the whole family had to help him with non-core stuff or else he would have to sleep at midnight. 听写 and 默写 split into 2 days to learn. there is art to cut, paste and colour.

抄写 to write. some schools have weekly tests. it’s just crazy.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865364https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865364Wed, 08 Aug 2018 04:25:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:44:54 GMT]]>

kristy13:
There was no such thing as handphone numbers and instant messaging when we were growing up. Our parents have no means of helping us check with teachers when we forget our work. It's our own fault if we forget and get scolded by the teachers. We all still grow up fine.

Kids are simply too pampered nowadays.
Sorry, can't compare then and now.

Noawadays teachers have level heads to report to. Level heads breathe down the necks of junior teachers and also co-appraise them. HODs disseminate standing guidelines, rubrics, topical test dates to subject teachers and in turn appraise level heads and subject teachers on the performance of their charges. They all have KPIs to hit.

The purpose of seeking parental cooperation & intervention for timely submission of forms, homework and projects, as well as timely acknowledgement/signing of test assignments, is so teachers may proceed to do file closures, close the loop, collate payment & registration forms before the pressing deadlines set by the respective ICs and immediate ROs.

If a fraction of blur queens and kings sit on some assignment, the teacher cannot close the loop, therefore needs to rope in parents to help chase the lost sheep. Teachers have a tight deadline by which they must wrap up a certain topic before HOD dishes out the topical tests.

All responsible teachers want their pupils to do well in topical tests (not sure if their performance is measured by their class' grades in topical tests/SAs though), and none wants to be held accountable by unreasonable parents whenever their kids flunk such tests.

As such, teachers will cover their arses by ensuring all worksheets are duly marked, corrections promptly done by pupils and corrections marked by themselves and signed off by parents, before filing them in a sequential order for pupils to take home for revision. If the file isn't returned to pupil or insufficient time has been given to pupils to revise before test date, parents may complain to the Principal or HOD. No one likes a bottleneck.

I am guessing that's why teachers take pains to chase and remind parents so that no sheep is left behind, no sheep is causing the bottleneck and every sheep's on the same field. This isn't like our time when teachers' deliverables were less stringent. If we forgot, it's our own problem...Now from top of food chain to bottom, all are stakeholders.

Additionally, teachers' toddlers may fall sick at times, requiring them to take urgent childcare leave; or they themselves may fall sick and must take medical leave; or they are required to attend offsite training. Whenever these happen, teachers lose a few precious periods / windows of opportunity to catch hold of their pupils to collect/return the marked/correction endorsed worksheets or to communicate certain tasks to them. That's when technology - WAs & email to parents - comes in handy.


For us working, we would understand this better. All depts have a common timeline. If one party sits on it, the entire project gets delayed. Therefore, we WA reminders to all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the timeline so that the next in line can proceed without undue delay.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865343https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865343Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:44:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:31:08 GMT]]>

vinegar:

Agree!! In fact i feel whatsapp somehw is misused. I always ask my ds hw come everything so last minute?? He always says he just receives notification thru whatsapp last minute. Don't know true or not.
I oso feel teachers oso use whatsapp excessively. When i look thru ds whatsapp, teachers always whatsapp to remind students to do certain thing ...reali very last minute.
If it's a reminder - it means the info had already been communicated.
It's either the student bochap, can't be bothered or not paying attention, and the teacher is doing it out of goodwill.
Can't classify that as last minute.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865337https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865337Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:31:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:28:28 GMT]]>The last minute notices need to stop… but 50-50 sometimes it is because it was mentioned in class and the whatsapp is actually just a reminder… I cannot trust my children sometimes. Not sure if they are paying attention haha

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865332https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865332Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:28:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:19:57 GMT]]>

vinegar:

Agree!! In fact i feel whatsapp somehw is misused. I always ask my ds hw come everything so last minute?? He always says he just receives notification thru whatsapp last minute. Don't know true or not.
I oso feel teachers oso use whatsapp excessively. When i look thru ds whatsapp, teachers always whatsapp to remind students to do certain thing ...reali very last minute.
my son experienced a lot of last minute work when he was in secondary school. he said the teachers WhatsApp last min...he showed me the messages and it's true, they are really LAST minute.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865323https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865323Wed, 08 Aug 2018 03:19:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:58:04 GMT]]>

kristy13:
There was no such thing as handphone numbers and instant messaging when we were growing up. Our parents have no means of helping us check with teachers when we forget our work. It's our own fault if we forget and get scolded by the teachers. We all still grow up fine.

Kids are simply too pampered nowadays.
Agree!! In fact i feel whatsapp somehw is misused. I always ask my ds hw come everything so last minute?? He always says he just receives notification thru whatsapp last minute. Don't know true or not.
I oso feel teachers oso use whatsapp excessively. When i look thru ds whatsapp, teachers always whatsapp to remind students to do certain thing ...reali very last minute.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865151https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865151Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:58:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:47:19 GMT]]>For that young couple - they don’t know each other well enough! Or they haven’t learned how to give the benefit of the doubt! My husband and I can be very brief and brusque in our messaging because we are both lazy to press buttons so many times. But we can "read the other’s mind" and so far have not had any of that kind of misunderstanding. Of course, we have been married 31yrs now, and messaging only started (with sms) after we had been married more than 10 yrs. But come to think of it, even in the days when we had to use phones and speech, we tended to be very brief, especially during office hours. Sometimes, it required goodwill on both sides to read between the lines, which is difficult in the early days of a relationship. The parent in the original post obviously doesn’t have this goodwill.


My kids are ok with my briefness too. My daughters’ joke that my most frequent messages to them are "ETA?" and "Where are you?" which translate to "If you’re nearly home, we’ll wait for you for dinner" and "Wondering where you are, so that if you go missing, we’ll know where to start looking!" They could so easily be read to mean "Why are you so late? You are inconsiderately keeping us all waiting" and "I am checking up on you because I suspect you’re gallivanting/up to no good."

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865148https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865148Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:47:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 10:24:56 GMT]]>No lah. But I’m always on the look out. Never tell them though of all my plans. Some gfrds kept asking but I usually won’t tell coz I’m not going to play God. Just invite some lovely frds in 3 or 4 pairs for dinner or potluck. Then observe. Will always give some kinda suggestions which guy I need to help send or muscle help.


So far 3 couples hitched. But these days, it’s getting harder to schedule all my invitees. Might hv to hang up me planner & mothball.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865087https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865087Tue, 07 Aug 2018 10:24:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:31:27 GMT]]>

Estéema:
lee_yl:

I showed my DD2 and asked her who’s in the wrong. Instead, she identified the misunderstanding due to the act of messaging via hand phones.


While messaging, one cannot convey the tone. If the parent and the teacher were to have this conversation face to face, and the teacher is smiling and saying it with a polite tone, the same message won’t feel offensive. But now, through text messaging, the parent has interpreted the message as being rude.

Sometimes, even husband and wife can also quarrel due to such mis understanding while using WhatsApp. Not to mention two unrelated people who barely know each other.

lee_yl,

Your DD2 is so insightful & spot on - missing tone in msg comm can cause awlful misunderstandings!

When in my young adult days, used to pair friends up. One guy likes my gfrd, who travels heavily for work. They were in their early courtship days. One Christmas, I noticed he was quite unlike his jovial self. Then come CNY hot on heels in following Jan, he cldnt control himself & came to me with his brewing problem :-

\" I don't know where this relationship is heading. Every public holidays it's like I hv a gfrd but not really hv her. She's so career-minded & whilst so far away, she'll question my movements! How does it make me feel?\"

I was stumped coz I was aware both like each other & make a wonderful match. What's going on? My gfrd is the nicest & mildest of creature I've ever known. Then, feeling apologetic, I asked if he'll show me exactly what my frd wrote.

It was a simple msg that rile his spirit up :

\"Where are you now? What are you doing?\"

My immediate question is \"Why do u find fault with her enquiries after yr welfare, knowing she can't be with you?\"

I started writing the msg with slight ediction & suggested that even w/o my editing, she's probably feeling just as awlful not able to spend time together, alone in a far-away land thinking :

\"Hmmm, Where is he now? Wonder what is he doing?\"

Isn't it similar with my \"sweet tone\" added to say \"Where are you now? What are you doing?\"

They're both proud parents to 2 bubbly boys today! To think they almost stumbled by WhatsApp comm! Thank God! 🙏

So all thanks to you! :rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865079https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865079Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:31:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:14:56 GMT]]>

lee_yl:
I showed my DD2 and asked her who’s in the wrong. Instead, she identified the misunderstanding due to the act of messaging via hand phones.


While messaging, one cannot convey the tone. If the parent and the teacher were to have this conversation face to face, and the teacher is smiling and saying it with a polite tone, the same message won’t feel offensive. But now, through text messaging, the parent has interpreted the message as being rude.

Sometimes, even husband and wife can also quarrel due to such mis understanding while using WhatsApp. Not to mention two unrelated people who barely know each other.
lee_yl,

Your DD2 is so insightful & spot on - missing tone in msg comm can cause awlful misunderstandings!

When in my young adult days, used to pair friends up. One guy likes my gfrd, who travels heavily for work. They were in their early courtship days. One Christmas, I noticed he was quite unlike his jovial self. Then come CNY hot on heels in following Jan, he cldnt control himself & came to me with his brewing problem :-

\" I don't know where this relationship is heading. Every public holidays it's like I hv a gfrd but not really hv her. She's so career-minded & whilst so far away, she'll question my movements! How does it make me feel?\"

I was stumped coz I was aware both like each other & make a wonderful match. What's going on? My gfrd is the nicest & mildest of creature I've ever known. Then, feeling apologetic, I asked if he'll show me exactly what my frd wrote.

It was a simple msg that rile his spirit up :

\"Where are you now? What are you doing?\"

My immediate question is \"Why do u find fault with her enquiries after yr welfare, knowing she can't be with you?\"

I started writing the msg with slight ediction & suggested that even w/o my editing, she's probably feeling just as awlful not able to spend time together, alone in a far-away land thinking :

\"Hmmm, Where is he now? Wonder what is he doing?\"

Isn't it similar with my \"sweet tone\" added to say \"Where are you now? What are you doing?\"

They're both proud parents to 2 bubbly boys today! To think they almost stumbled by WhatsApp comm! Thank God! 🙏

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865075https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865075Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:14:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:08:48 GMT]]>

FantasyLandDreams:
Actually ah, 2 of my friends have exited themselves from class chat in WhatsApp, class dojo and etc totally this year. Purpose is to teach their boys a lesson and to cure their ‘forgetfulness’! :evil:

Parents become the kids' \"PA\"

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865073https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865073Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:08:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:03:17 GMT]]>

kristy13:
There was no such thing as handphone numbers and instant messaging when we were growing up. Our parents have no means of helping us check with teachers when we forget our work. It's our own fault if we forget and get scolded by the teachers. We all still grow up fine.

Kids are simply too pampered nowadays.
totally agreed.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865070https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865070Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:03:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 08:36:04 GMT]]>Actually ah, 2 of my friends have exited themselves from class chat in WhatsApp, class dojo and etc totally this year. Purpose is to teach their boys a lesson and to cure their ‘forgetfulness’! :evil:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865064https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865064Tue, 07 Aug 2018 08:36:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 08:31:39 GMT]]>There was no such thing as handphone numbers and instant messaging when we were growing up. Our parents have no means of helping us check with teachers when we forget our work. It’s our own fault if we forget and get scolded by the teachers. We all still grow up fine.

Kids are simply too pampered nowadays.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865061https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865061Tue, 07 Aug 2018 08:31:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 08:26:48 GMT]]>

lee_yl:
I showed my DD2 and asked her who’s in the wrong. Instead, she identified the misunderstanding due to the act of messaging via hand phones.


While messaging, one cannot convey the tone. If the parent and the teacher were to have this conversation face to face, and the teacher is smiling and saying it with a polite tone, the same message won’t feel offensive. But now, through text messaging, the parent has interpreted the message as being rude.

Sometimes, even husband and wife can also quarrel due to such mis understanding while using WhatsApp. Not to mention two unrelated people who barely know each other.
Totally agree!!!...my hubby always misunderstand my meaning through whatsapp :slapshead:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865059https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865059Tue, 07 Aug 2018 08:26:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to So who is at fault here? Teacher or parent? on Tue, 07 Aug 2018 07:35:52 GMT]]>I showed my DD2 and asked her who’s in the wrong. Instead, she identified the misunderstanding due to the act of messaging via hand phones.


While messaging, one cannot convey the tone. If the parent and the teacher were to have this conversation face to face, and the teacher is smiling and saying it with a polite tone, the same message won’t feel offensive. But now, through text messaging, the parent has interpreted the message as being rude.

Sometimes, even husband and wife can also quarrel due to such mis understanding while using WhatsApp. Not to mention two unrelated people who barely know each other.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865027https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1865027Tue, 07 Aug 2018 07:35:52 GMT