Lost in Translation

I was perturbed, perhaps more disturbed than the students in the classroom at which the unmentionable phrase was used on them, not once but several times and in a very harsh voice.  Undeniably, the students were making so much noise to the extent any attempt at trying to control the volume in the classroom by shouting was simply futile.

"SHAME ON YOU!"

And needless to say, the situation in the classroom didn't get any better.  In fact, it got worse.  It started with a handful of boys parroting after the other teacher and in a matter of seconds, it became a chant.  Someone even asked, "Teacher, how to spell shame?" and nodded his head as I spelled the word slowly.  But there was something else.  Through the defiant eyes, I thought I saw grief, but it was artfully concealed by the increase in noise level the moment the other teacher left the classroom.

I couldn't help but wonder what this all meant.  In the reprimand, not only were the students chided for being inconsiderate to the express classes who were sitting for a test and that they should put their extremely loud voices to good use such as being the Commander (who gets students to stand at attention) at Morning Assembly, it was alleged they did not mean what they say when they wrote apology letters and made promises to their Form Teachers about their conduct.  The bemused look on some faces probably said it all: How does she know about this?

And I felt indignant half an hour later.  I may be ignorant of what had happened but I am certain the trust of confidentiality has been broken.  Understandably, it is just human that teachers share their woes with their colleagues or friends but the content of such small talk should never be used against the students by a third party, at least to me.  As much as I dread taking the class when one of their teachers has taken ill, I don't reckon it is ever justified to use the unmentionable phrase.

S-H-A-M-E.  It is a painful feeling caused by the consciousness or exposure of unworthy or indecent conduct or circumstances.  Perhaps the intention to remind the students to behave well was good.  What a shame it didn't translate well.