School Threat To Self-worth, Says Priest (Press, 21 February 1979)
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Summary: School Threat To Self-worth, Says Priest (Press, 21 February 1979)
On 21 February 1979, Father Felix Donnelly, a social worker and senior lecturer in community health at Auckland Medical School, addressed students at Wellington Teachers’ College, discussing the failures of the education system and its potential role in contributing to juvenile delinquency. He asserted that the current education system often predisposes individuals to failure, undermining their sense of worth and success. According to Father Donnelly, failure in educational settings is a significant factor leading to delinquency, as the experience of repeated failure can have a detrimental effect on self-image and motivation. He emphasized the crucial role that teachers play in shaping children's perceptions of themselves, indicating that the influence of educators is nearly as important as that of parents. Father Donnelly pointed out a concerning trend where teachers tend to be more critical than encouraging, risking a negative impact on their students’ self-esteem. He urged future educators to provide individual attention and praise to their pupils, reinforcing the importance of recognising achievements however small. Additionally, he called for a re-evaluation of the curriculum in secondary schools. Father Donnelly noted that many first-year medical students he encountered had struggled due to the restrictive nature of their secondary education, which had overly narrowed their academic focus in anticipation of university demands. He observed that there exists a group of older teachers in secondary school who foster a pessimistic view of youth, which he found troubling. In a striking statement, Father Donnelly suggested that these teachers be retired early to prevent further negative influence on students. Overall, Father Donnelly's remarks highlighted significant concerns regarding the education system's approach to student engagement, the criticism faced by educators, and the broader implications of educational failure on youth behaviour and self-esteem.
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