Navigating the Passpocalypse
A seemingly benign practice has evolved into an issue that’s impacting education far more than perhaps we realise, and as a teacher, it is definitely grating on me. Here is a typical scenario: a student raises their hand, brandishing a brightly coloured, laminated pass like it’s a VIP ticket to meet Taylor Swift backstage, and proceeds to step out of class. Seems harmless, right? Wrong. It’s become a significant issue: the overabundance of time-out passes is threatening to derail learning and I can’t shake it off. But before I go absolutely postal, it’s crucial to acknowledge that I fully support the use of these passes for genuine reasons and to those kids, I’ve got your backs. However, I can’t help but feel that they’re sometimes distributed to students who may not need them as much as others.
Problem
The increase of time-out passes – early leaving passes, toilet passes, step-out passes, i can’t be fucking arsed passes – has reached bonkers levels: its an excess of exits!. While it’s crucial to acknowledge that there are genuine reasons for the existence of these passes, such as urgent bathroom needs or necessary medical attention, they’ve increasingly become a crutch for some students. And, in some cases, they have been deliberately weaponised. Finley-fuck-face has them all; an arsenal of exit cards: 5 minutes early pass, buddy pass, step out pass, toilet pass, and he is a clever little git. His timekeeping is impeccable and he picks the perfect times to activate each pass to minimise his workload. Once activated, I can hear him dicking around on the corridor, taking leisurely detours or the ‘scenic route’ to the toilet that he clearly doesn’t need but just wants to check his Snapchat. But this misuse of privilege doesn’t just disrupt his own learning; it disrupts the learning experience for all.
Causes
The root cause of this pass-party lies in the genuine needs of students, coupled with a lack of oversight and accountability. What starts as a necessity for some becomes a convenience for others. With no clear guidelines or repercussions, students feel entitled to step out at their whim, disrupting lessons and eroding the educational experience for all. Furthermore, I think schools pander to pressures from parents and actually, that is to the detriment of their children.
Effects
The ramifications of this pass “racket” are bigger than you think. As a teacher, I find myself constantly interrupted during crucial moments of instruction. Just as I’m attempting to demo/model the key aspects of the lesson or answer lingering questions, someone will ‘activate’ their toilet pass [BOOOM “I am outta here, see ya later suckaaaa!!”], and then I have to waste my time going over the same shit when they return…it’s so fucking annoying. Furthermore, at the end of the lesson, three or four students will abruptly rise from their seats like zombies waking after years lying dormant – all of a sudden they become experts at telling the time to the second, as if their internal clock chimes precisely 5 minutes to the bell – and off they go, disrupting the lesson summary for everyone and perhaps missing key points themselves. This not only hampers my ability to teach effectively but also undermines the experience for other students.
Solutions
Instead of simply handing out passes as a Band-Aid solution to temporary issues, better to address the underlying issues that necessitate their use. By investing in proactive measures to support students’ emotional well-being and creating a safe and inclusive school environment, we can mitigate the need for excessive use of time-out passes. This may involve implementing programs that promote mental health awareness, providing support systems for students facing bullying or social pressures, and fostering a culture of empathy and understanding among peers. By tackling the root causes of students’ needs for time-out passes, we can create a more positive and supportive learning environment. But I guess it’s just cheaper to get a member of SLT to make some shitly-designed typographic tragedy, laminated on a sickeningly bright card.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to let the pass-pandemic continue unchecked. By acknowledging the problem, understanding its causes, and implementing practical solutions, we can make full use of our teaching time and provide students with the focused, uninterrupted learning environment they deserve (well, that most of them deserve). Addressing the reason for the passes, ensuring safe passage between lessons, punishing kids that may threaten the vulnerable, or providing those who need a step out with adequate mental support, is key.
I was going to add another sentence but I’m activating my ‘can’t be fucked’ pass!
And I will remember your name and face
Aesop rock – none shall pass
On the day you are judged by the funhouse cast
And I will rejoice in your fall from grace
With a cane to the sky, like, “None shall pass”
