\n<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE – Students in Singapore have joined a TikTok trend of rating their teachers based on whether the educators induce high or low cortisol \u2013 or stress \u2013 in their students. <\/p>\n
The trend sees photos of the teachers plastered on a screen one by one, as they are divided into one of two groups.<\/p>\n
A photo of a cortisol meter is added in the line-up. For teachers who do not induce stress, the indicator points to the \u201clow\u201d section, and for those who do, the indicator points to the \u201chigh\u201d section. <\/p>\n
According to national health portal HealthHub, cortisol is a stress hormone, triggered when people feel threatened. <\/p>\n
If a person is under constant stress, excessive cortisol can lead to health problems such as rapid weight gain and high blood pressure.<\/p>\n
In some videos seen by The Straits Times, the word \u201cmogged\u201d is superimposed on the faces of teachers who induce high cortisol. <\/p>\n
The slang, which appears to be based on the term Alpha Male of Group, or AMOG, means to outdo someone in terms of their physical features or charisma. <\/p>\n
According to checks by ST, students participating in the trend are a mix of primary and secondary school students from more than 10 schools. <\/p>\n
One of the earliest videos of the trend in Singapore was posted on Feb 16, and the latest on Feb 25. <\/p>\n
In the comments section of the TikTok videos, current and former students share their agreements and disagreements on the ratings, while others warn the original poster of the respective videos that they might get into trouble for posting the videos. <\/p>\n
Some commenters have said that the videos were raised during their morning assemblies. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy school had a Monday assembly on an exact video like this and we got (scolded),\u201d said one user, while another said their principal joked about being put in the low cortisol category. <\/p>\n
The trend can also be seen in countries such as the US, Britain, Vietnam and the Philippines. <\/p>\n
One Singapore educator told ST that the trend was par for the course for teachers, adding that students at the primary and secondary level are more impressionable and sometimes quick to form opinions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The primary school teacher, who has been teaching for 11 years, noted that there were various factors that influence a student\u2019s perception of their teacher. <\/p>\n
These include the student\u2019s interest in the subject, how much weight the subject carries academically, and even the teacher\u2019s looks. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe trend is amusing, in a loose sense of the word,\u201d said the 37-year-old, who did not want to be identified.<\/p>\n
Another teacher said it was disappointing to see students take their \u201ccanteen gossip\u201d online. <\/p>\n
Ms Mariah (not her real name), 28, said: \u201cIt shows a lack of maturity and understanding of what is appropriate to post online and empathy for teachers.\u201d <\/p>\n
The tertiary-level teacher said she empathised with the teachers targeted as their livelihood and their reputation could be ruined by \u201ccareless entertainment\u201d. <\/p>\n
Ms Mariah, who has been teaching for five years, was also concerned that parents might believe the rating, take issue with the teacher, and make a complaint to school management.<\/p>\n
ST has contacted the Ministry of Education for comment. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n