Educators should be treated better

THE EDITOR, Madam:

In recent times Jamaica has seen a wave of migration of educators searching for better and greener pastures. This has been greeted with a mixture of responses, even to the point that some senior teachers are encouraging younger teachers and new incoming teachers to do the same.

There seemingly is no hope left within the prestigious halls of the Jamaican education system.

I made the transition (to teaching) into a culture shock. There were a number of things that to date still make me wonder if I have made the correct decision.

First, the snail’s pace at which the Ministry of Education conducts the process of assessing new teachers for appointment to a post is atrocious and discouraging.

After submitting all my documents, I was given a list of other documents that I was required to submit, which included transcripts, medical and police record. All this had to be (paid for) out of pocket. Upon completion, I had to wait a whole other month to receive another correspondence (stating) that I needed another transcript from overseas, which I had to pay for upon application.

We are told further that our work days are from Monday to Friday.

However, if a teacher is going on vacation (and only after a certain number of years), then Saturday and Sunday are included. What sense does this make?

In addition, the magnitude of administrative work that educators are asked to do takes away from the joy of teaching and interacting with the students.

As a neophyte, I have had conversations with senior and seasoned teachers, who have all expressed their frustration and displeasure at what is being asked of them by the Ministry of Education. It is way too much! This includes preparing lesson plans, recording grades, doing enrolment, taking attendance, placing marks (grades) and attendance online, updating registers and mark books, doing professional portfolio, attending every single meeting, and these are just some of what is expected.

All this is expected with the basic salary for a trained teacher being way below $150,000 before tax?!

DISPARITY

Every professional depends on educators at all levels to help them to be where they are currently. Therefore, all educators in our country should be treated way better in terms of remuneration, benefits and up-to-date technological resources to aid the teaching learning process. It is quite a lot when you are being asked as one person to play so many roles and are still unable to receive needed benefits, attention and appreciation.

Another point is the disparity that seems to exist with how new teachers are sometimes treated. At the college/university level students were trained to utilise technology in the teaching learning process, and encourage the constructivism approach of guided learning. However, upon entry (to the school system) the new teachers have to contend with the ‘old school’ method of teaching. Many seasoned teachers look down on the younger teachers for the use of technology in their lesson.

It is this method of teaching that allows students to be more involved in the teaching learning process. Times have and are changing and we must change with them to appeal to the changing needs of our students.

Teachers are stressed emotionally, physically and of course financially. The late Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. If the government leaders and the powers that be want the society to change, shouldn’t we at least start with those who every day give of themselves to build and shape the minds of our students?

DWIGHT D. DAWKINS