Identifying the SEMP: Why Subject Teachers Participate in Malpractice
In UNBREAKABLE Episode 15, we moved beyond the home to look at the second pillar of a child's development: the school. For 13 weeks, we analyzed parents; now, we address the Society of Examination Malpractice Practitioners (SEMP)—a network where, unfortunately, the subject teacher often plays a leading role.
The SEMP Ecosystem
The SEMP is not a formal organization, but a systemic menace fueled by school owners, administrators, and parents. However, the Subject Teacher is the most critical link. Spending 7 to 8 hours daily with students, teachers have the greatest power to either build a child’s armor of self-confidence or dismantle it.
Why Good Teachers Do Bad Things
Our broadcast on Passion 94.5 FM highlighted that not all teachers who participate in malpractice do so out of malice. Many fall into these three psychological traps:
1. Misguided Paternalism
Some teachers believe they are "helping" or "saving" a child by providing answers. They see it as a form of kindness. In reality, this is Paternalism—the belief that the child is too weak to succeed on their own. This destroys the student's sense of agency.
2. Low Expectations
When a teacher decides a student is "not the academic type," they stop teaching and start "facilitating" cheating. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy where the student never learns because they were never expected to.
3. Financial and Professional Extortion
The most "ugly" case is direct corruption. Students are often made to pay for "assistance," and those who refuse are subjected to deprivation or even prevented from taking exams. This is a total betrayal of the teaching calling.
The Hidden Cost of "Help"
When a teacher provides answers in an exam hall, they aren't just giving a student a grade; they are giving them a crutch.
- It creates a Dependency Syndrome where the child stops trying.
- It normalizes Dishonesty as a survival strategy for adulthood.
- It devalues the Hard Work of students who choose to remain honest.
A Message to School Owners
Do not pressure your teachers to produce "magic results" to satisfy parents. A school's reputation should be built on the character and competence of its graduates, not on inflated grades that crumble under the first sign of real-world pressure.
Final Thought
"True teaching is not about giving answers, but about giving the student the tools to find them."
Stay UNBREAKABLE. Join us next week as we continue to examine how we can support our teachers to return to the path of integrity.