East Japan teacher disciplined for attaching dog leash to student's bag during field trip

 A teacher at a public junior high school in Kanagawa Prefecture has been suspended for six months after attaching a dog leash to a first-year male student's backpack during a field trip to prevent him from getting lost, the prefectural education board announced March 13.

The Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education deemed the actions of the 26-year-old teacher at a school in the central part of the prefecture inappropriate, saying he lacked respect for the student's human rights.

According to the education board, the teacher permitted the use of a dog leash on the male student during a field trip in June 2024, following a suggestion from one or more students. A 1-meter-long leash for small dogs was attached to the student's backpack and was held alternately by other students in the group during the excursion. The student had previously gotten lost. After the field trip, the student reportedly said he had been unhappy with the treatment.

The teacher also instructed that a photo of the student with the leash be displayed in the classroom and showed it on a projector during class, referring to it as one of his favorites. The issue came to light in July after the student's parents complained to the school principal. The teacher was also reported to have engaged in other inappropriate behavior, such as shining a laser pointer at multiple students during class.

Source : https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250314/p2a/00m/0na/004000c

Comprehension

Why was the teacher suspended for six months?
Where did the incident take place?
What was the purpose of attaching a dog leash to the student’s backpack?
Who suggested using the dog leash?
How did other students participate in the incident?
How did the student feel about the treatment?
How did the teacher further display the incident in the classroom?
How did the student’s parents find out about the situation?
What other inappropriate behavior did the teacher engage in?
How did the education board respond to the case?

Discussion

How do you feel about the teacher’s actions?
What could the teacher have done differently to prevent the student from getting lost?
How should schools handle students who are prone to getting lost on field trips?
Do you think a six-month suspension is an appropriate punishment? Why or why not?
How can teachers ensure discipline while still respecting students' dignity?
What are the potential long-term effects of public humiliation on a student?
What role should students play in preventing bullying or inappropriate behavior by teachers?
How should schools educate teachers about appropriate behavior and student rights?
If you were a school administrator, how would you respond to a complaint like this?
What policies should schools put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future?

Vocabulary

Suspend – To temporarily remove someone from a job or position as punishment.
Prefecture – A regional division in Japan, similar to a state or province.
Deem – To judge or consider something in a particular way.
Inappropriate – Not suitable or proper in a situation.
Excursion – A short trip, often for educational purposes.
Projector – A device that displays images or videos on a screen.
Complaint – A statement expressing dissatisfaction or concern.
Principal – The head of a school.
Humiliation – The act of causing someone to feel ashamed or embarrassed.
Discipline – The practice of training people to follow rules or behave properly.