There is a heated debate about the pros and cons of having elementary school teachers examine their students' diaries in the wake of a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) decision saying that the practice is a violation of civil rights. A considerable number of teachers are coming out in support of inspecting diaries, emphasizing the educational aspects of it, saying it's about "communication with the student." On the other side is the considerable argument that says that there is no way formalized diary writing that takes place with eventual inspection in mind is going to be educationally effective. In addition, most elementary students are joining in by asking how meaningful it can be to write a diary when it has long been considered just homework. It appears like the debate is going to go on for a long time to come.
Aside from the question of whether examining students' diaries is legitimate or not, it is a good thing to have diary writing a hot subject for those with an interest in education. When the world is overflowing with internet communication such as email and you cannot overemphasize the importance of the kind of diary and letter writing that gives you an opportunity for serious thought about yourself and others. Nothing could be better educationally than for the NHRC's decision to make students understand the significance of keeping a diary, which is a form of frank dialogue with the self, especially if they start maintaining diaries on their own.
The problem is one of how to "oversee" the activity when students need to be doing it voluntarily and on their own. There should be no more forcing them to keep diaries by assigning it like homework to be inspected and giving prizes for the best content like English or math homework. Diaries are honest confessions, reflections about the day that has come to an end and resolutions about the day to come, in the course of deep conversation with the inner self. The activity, therefore, has the potential to be very important educationally in terms of fostering personal growth in this era of thoughtless internet interpersonal communication. Education officials should consider having students take turns writing diaries and letters to their teachers and then have teachers look only what is written in letter form, because diaries are personal confessions that should not be subject to inspection or the object of appraisal and award-giving.
The Hankyoreh, 11 April 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
Diaries Are Not Prize Material |
