SHAH ALAM – The role of a teacher has evolved far beyond chalkboards, lesson plans and marking books, as educators today also find themselves acting as mediators, communicators and at times, the final line between discipline and disagreement.
While classrooms remain the heart of learning, teachers say some of the most challenging moments now happen outside lesson hours – in conversations with parents who may not always see eye to eye with school decisions.
For mathematics teacher Fatini Rasidi, one of the most common challenges arises when parental belief in their child overrides professional explanations from educators.
“Some parents tend to believe their child’s version of events more than the teacher’s explanation, even when the school has clear evidence and information,” she told Sinar Daily.
Fatini said she usually handles these cases by making sure all facts are properly documented first before speaking to parents and then explaining the situation in a clear, structured and respectful way.
She also prioritises listening fully to the parents’ concerns before responding with clear clarification, so that the discussion does not become confrontational.
Fatini said parental involvement should not be seen as a burden, as it plays an important role in maintaining discipline and a conducive learning environment.
“When parents support the disciplinary actions taken by the school, students are more likely to respect rules and understand that every wrongdoing has consequences,” she said.
She added that cooperation between parents and teachers remains key in shaping students into responsible individuals.
Tuition centre teacher Shana Thasan shared similar experiences, noting that misunderstandings often arise when discipline is viewed only through the lens of punishment.
She said while there are some parents who are very supportive when teachers correct or discipline students, there are also parents who immediately assume the teacher is targeting or embarrassing their child.
“I have faced situations where parents questioned why their child was scolded, asked to redo work, or given consequences for disruptive behaviour,” she shared.
Shana added that in recent years, social media has also changed the way some parents respond to school-related issues, with reactions often happening before full clarification is obtained from all parties involved.
“I feel that social media has made some parents react more emotionally and publicly before understanding the full situation. The trend of threatening to ‘go viral’ can create unnecessary pressure on teachers and schools,” she said.
For Shana, the impact of parental involvement depends heavily on how it is exercised.
She said when parents work together with teachers, students become more responsible and respectful because they see consistency between home and school.
“But, when parents constantly defend inappropriate behaviour without understanding the full situation, it becomes harder to maintain discipline as students may feel that teachers have no authority,” she added.
Shana said to create a more effective and respectful learning environment, parents should communicate openly, trust the school’s professionalism and reinforce positive values at home.
She said consistency between home and school is very important in shaping student behaviour.
“Parents can support teachers by teaching respect, responsibility and accountability to their children,” she said.