Education shapes both the mind and the character of a society, and at the center of this process stands the teacher. A teacher is not limited to delivering lessons or completing a syllabus. Every word spoken in a classroom, every reaction to a mistake, and every form of discipline leaves a mark on a student’s inner world. Some marks guide and strengthen, others quietly wound. This column is written with goodwill, not accusation, and invites reflection rather than blame.
Correction lies at the heart of teaching. Human beings learn through mistakes, and growth begins when those mistakes are handled with wisdom. A thoughtful teacher treats an error as a moment of learning, not a public trial. When a student gives a wrong answer and the teacher responds with patience, encouragement, and clear guidance, the student feels safe to try again. Confidence grows, curiosity survives, and learning continues with dignity.
Trouble begins when correction turns into humiliation. Public scolding, sarcastic remarks, mocking a student’s accent, background, or weakness may create silence in the classroom, but it kills learning from within. A child who is embarrassed in front of peers does not focus on improvement. The mind shifts toward fear and self-protection. Many students stop asking questions, not due to lack of interest, but from the fear of being ridiculed again.
At school level, this damage strikes self-belief at an early age. Children often accept what authority figures say about them as truth. When a student repeatedly hears words like lazy or incapable, that label settles deep inside. On the other side, a single sentence of trust such as you can do better with effort can change direction entirely. Teachers often underestimate the power of such moments.
Colleges and universities face the same issue in a different form. Here, humiliation often appears through intellectual arrogance. Dismissing a question as foolish, laughing at a research idea, or treating disagreement as disrespect creates an unhealthy academic space. Higher education depends on inquiry and debate. When students fear judgment, they avoid thinking aloud, and classrooms lose their purpose.
Religious seminaries carry an even greater responsibility. The teacher is seen not only as an instructor but as a moral guide. Harshness without compassion creates fear rather than understanding. When discipline crosses ethical limits, students may obey outwardly yet feel resentment within. In some cases, the pain extends beyond the institution and affects their relationship with faith itself. Religious education aims to soften hearts and refine character, not to harden them through shame.
Staying within ethical boundaries does not weaken authority. Real strength appears through fairness, patience, and self-control. A teacher who remains calm during anger, who listens before judging, and who corrects privately rather than publicly earns lasting respect. Fear may silence a student for a day. Respect shapes conduct for a lifetime.
Teachers face pressure, heavy workloads, limited resources, and administrative demands. These realities cannot be ignored. Still, behavior inside the classroom remains a conscious choice. A simple inner question can guide that choice. Is this action helping the student grow, or is it only releasing frustration.
Educational institutions that care about human development must address this openly. Training, ethical awareness, and accountability should stand beside academic planning. Education does not end with grades and degrees. It forms people who will shape families, workplaces, and society.
One sentence from a teacher can lift a student toward confidence and purpose. The same sentence, spoken without care, can push another student into silence and self-doubt. This is the narrow line between correction and humiliation. Every teacher crosses it daily, sometimes without realizing it. On that line rests either the building of character or the quiet beginning of its destruction.
The Crisis of Ethics in Society
Journalist
One reply on “Correction or Humiliation? Building Character or the Beginning of Destruction”
In my opinion, every teacher should be conscious of students’ emotional needs. Teachers are given a status similar to that of parents, and just like parents understand the temperament of each child at home knowing who is sensitive and who can tolerate criticism teachers should also adjust their behavior to maintain a healthy learning environment. Unfortunately, many teachers do not want to understand this reality. I was bullied by a teacher, which directly affected my overall performance and mental health. I was later diagnosed with chronic stress disorder, and it took one and a half years of treatment to return to a normal routine. I truly appreciate that this perspective is being acknowledged, as this side of the issue is rarely discussed.