Caught A Student Cheating

Philippines
October 4, 2012 8:00am CST
It's almost the end of the semester in our school. It's my first semester to teach, and yesterday, the big event happened. I spotted a photocopy of a page of our textbook. The photocopied page is about the topic I am giving a quiz that moment. It was my clear instruction that the only things that should be in their table are their calculator, ball pen, test paper and answer sheets. But this guy has the guts to violate my rules. Such an act is a ground for expulsion. The student went to my office after the class and told me not to file a recommendation for expulsion. Asked me instead of a failing mark in the finals. I said "No". There are only two options. Either you "bring in your parents" or "expulsion. He said "Sir, I can't bring in my parents, they would be angry at me and would stop sending me to school". My reply was a stern "No, Mr. X! Those are the only options, I'll wait till 12 noon tomorrow, if you're parents won't come. You know the recommendation will go straight to the CSDL". Was I too harsh? It was a blatant violation of my rule. And to think, I was just right beside him conducting the exam. He sits at the back, and I proctor the exams by sitting at the back. It was a very lucky day that I caught him. Hmmm, if you're the teacher what d'you reckon you'd do?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
17 Oct 12
Yes you are too harsh my dear friend! But I would have done the same. I wouldn't recommend expulsion though but i would talk to the parents. I would tell the parents not to be too harsh on their child though because i believe in second chances.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
12 Oct 12
I understand that the student is afraid of his parents' reaction when they find out that he has cheated because his parents are probably going to angry and disappointed, but I think but he should have thought about that before he decided to cheat. He broke the rules and he has to accept the consequences of his actions. If I was the teacher I would have done the same thing as you. You posted this discussion one week ago, what happened the next day? Did he choose to bring his parents?
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
4 Oct 12
If there are rules and they are clearly stated, you have acted quite correctly. This boy is a cheat and a fool (saying he 'had the guts' to violate your rules is hardly the way I would have put it!). This boy needs to learn that cheating is something that cannot be tolerated at all and that asking you to 'bend the rules' is simply asking you to cheat too!
@kenshin2143 (1880)
• Philippines
4 Oct 12
I am also pretty guilty when it comes to cheating. But I really do not bring such papers for I also study, there are only times that I tend to forget those that I studied. As for your decision when it regards to that, I do agree with your punishment for cheating is not a good trait to be tolerated.
@meowchie (992)
• Philippines
5 Oct 12
If I was the teacher, I'd do the same. Firm on implementing the rule guidelines. You are not asking for his parents to come as a punishment but instead-your intention was to mutually share the responsibility of upbringing the child. When your student said his parents would get angry- TRUE!, but when he said they won't send them to school anymore, I don't believe it completely.. Every parent would want their children successful in the future and a part of letting them be successful is to know the child's weaknesses and failures too. With that, the parents first and with the help of the teachers- will be able to provide proper ways to make the child a better student and eventually a better person. Well done Sir =)