When a student has a problem at school, the usual advice is often, “Talk to your teacher first.” But if the teacher is the person causing the harm, the student does not have to follow that route.
For example, a teacher may repeatedly make abusive comments, treat a student inappropriately, or make the student so afraid that going to class becomes difficult. If the student is scared to speak directly to that teacher, there is no need to insist that they confront the teacher first. A parent can instead contact another teacher, the vice principal, or the principal directly.
There are several possible routes within a school besides the homeroom teacher. A student may be able to speak with another teacher, the head of the grade, the school nurse, a school counselor, the vice principal, or the principal. The important point is that the teacher causing the problem does not have to be part of the first conversation.
When reporting what happened, it helps to describe not only feelings such as “I’m scared” or “This is painful,” but also the specific events: when and where something happened, what was said, and what was done. Keeping notes and saving relevant messages or other records can make the situation easier to explain later.
If the school does not respond adequately, or if the student or family does not feel comfortable raising the issue within the school, the complaint can be taken outside the school. For public schools, local boards of education have consultation channels. Japan also has services outside individual schools, including the Ministry of Education’s 24-Hour Child SOS Dial and child-focused human rights consultation services provided by the Ministry of Justice.
If the behavior involves violence, sexual misconduct, or another potentially serious danger, there is no reason the matter must remain inside the school system. When criminal victimization may be involved, the student and family can also seek help from police youth consultation services or a local police station.
Teachers have considerable influence over students’ daily lives. For that reason, speaking directly to a teacher who is causing fear or harm may itself feel intimidating.
That is why if a student cannot safely talk to the person causing the problem, they can change who they talk to.
Doing so is not simply “disobeying a teacher.” It is using another available route to protect the student.
References
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “24-Hour Child SOS Dial”
- Ministry of Justice, “Children’s Human Rights Hotline”
- Ministry of Justice, “Children’s Human Rights SOS Mini-Letters”
- National Police Agency, “Prefectural Police Youth Consultation Services”
