A Nova Scotia principal who wrestled a disobedient student to the floor, restrained him in a half-nelson hold and dragged him down the hallway should be disciplined.
It doesn't matter how defiant the 14-year-old student was. Nobody has the right to physically assault a child. This act will not teach students to refrain from acts of violence and bullying. Instead, it will promote the view that intimidation is acceptable, and that someone who is physically overpowering may use force to get his way.
This controversial incident, which was posted last week on YouTube, attracting nation-wide attention, took place on March 3 at Graham Creighton Junior High School in Cherry Brook, N.S. The student had been taking unauthorized photographs on his cellphone of two girls who were arguing in the cafeteria. He refused to hand over his phone to the principal, Ken Fells. Mr. Fells tried to stop the student by putting out his arm as he sauntered down the hallway, according to a minute-long video of the incident, caught on the school's surveillance system and released by Atlantic Frank magazine. The student pushed Mr. Fells back, prompting a counterpush, which knocked the student back several feet. The principal, who served in the military, then restrained the student on the floor, placed his neck in a hold and pulled him through the hallway and into the office. The student's parents said he suffered a concussion. The RCMP were called in, but chose not to lay any charges.
Mr. Fells has now been removed from his position at that school, but will retain his job as a principal with the Halifax Regional School Board, after a board of trustees meeting last month. The decision fails either to convey the unequivocal message that physical assault of children by educators is not an acceptable form of discipline, or to ensure such an incident is not repeated.
Educators have a challenging job, and deserve society's gratitude and respect. They must be able to maintain orderly and secure learning environments. And there is no doubt that students' behaviour can be aggravating and, at times, even menacing.
However, physical force on the scale that Mr. Fells used was clearly excessive. The student had a cellphone in his pocket, not a gun, and was insolent, but not dangerous. There are other mechanisms in place to subdue such students, such as a detention, or suspension.
The school board should not be swayed by supporters of Mr. Fells, who say race is a factor. The Black Educators Association has publicly supported the principal's "hard-line" approach to discipline in a school rife with conflict between teachers and unruly students. However, no principal, not even a respected, black one, should receive lenient treatment due to race (the student was white).
Yesterday, the school board's superintendent, Carole Olsen, came forward to say that her husband had covertly released the school surveillance tape. This too is outrageous. According to Ms. Olsen, her husband acted without her knowledge. Even so, it was unfair to Mr. Fells and he deserves an apology. But that doesn't mitigate his own behaviour - which is surely the greater wrong.