Dear Editor,
I am imploring the Ministry of Education to streamline a portal to deploy substitute teachers in our schools.
Over the years, I have realised that full-time teachers often have to balance a hectic timetable with incumbent substitution schedules. Consequently, their 'free time' becomes consumed with additional work on occasions when a few of their colleagues are unavoidably absent.
This practice has caused a tremendous strain on many of our teachers, who are already struggling with the workload outside their regular instructional sessions.
Very often, we castigate our educators for their perceivably perfunctory delivery and the substandard performance of students. On the other hand, very little is usually done to ensure that teachers are not overextended and overwhelmed. A tired and overworked teacher will not be able to offer his or her best to students and so we must explore options to safeguard our educators from undue stress.
Once teachers are liberated of substitution duties, they would have more time to evaluate their previous lessons, create informed action plans in going forward, mark their students' work, plan for their other classes, or simply recover from a gruelling session.
If substitute teachers are brought into the system, many teachers who are qualified, but are unemployed, would be able to work seasonally and gain relevant teaching experience. They could also receive a reasonable remuneration package to subsidise their travelling expenses and daily sustenance.
Moreover, our students would not be shortchanged in the event that their teachers are sick -- especially in light of the chikungunya onslaught -- and have to be absent for an extended period.
These substitute teachers could be interviewed and selected by the Ministry of Education. Their qualifications, skills and contact details could then be uploaded to a portal system that can be easily accessed by local school administrators. Once teachers are absent or scheduled to be absent, the principal may contact appropriate substitutes to fill in.
Training may be provided as necessary to ensure that all substitutes are au fait with the curriculum and the regulations of the schools.
Full-time teachers who know that they will be absent could aid the substitution process by preparing materials, worksheets and instructional content for their students and have these administered by the substitute teachers.
Please note that I am not encouraging teacher absenteeism. I am simply proposing an approach that could promote greater efficiency and productivity in our education system. Other protocols may be implemented to discourage any abuse of the foregoing system.
Shawna Kay Williams
Old Harbour, St Catherine
Shawna201@gmail.com
Substitute teachers needed
-->
I am imploring the Ministry of Education to streamline a portal to deploy substitute teachers in our schools.
Over the years, I have realised that full-time teachers often have to balance a hectic timetable with incumbent substitution schedules. Consequently, their 'free time' becomes consumed with additional work on occasions when a few of their colleagues are unavoidably absent.
This practice has caused a tremendous strain on many of our teachers, who are already struggling with the workload outside their regular instructional sessions.
Very often, we castigate our educators for their perceivably perfunctory delivery and the substandard performance of students. On the other hand, very little is usually done to ensure that teachers are not overextended and overwhelmed. A tired and overworked teacher will not be able to offer his or her best to students and so we must explore options to safeguard our educators from undue stress.
Once teachers are liberated of substitution duties, they would have more time to evaluate their previous lessons, create informed action plans in going forward, mark their students' work, plan for their other classes, or simply recover from a gruelling session.
If substitute teachers are brought into the system, many teachers who are qualified, but are unemployed, would be able to work seasonally and gain relevant teaching experience. They could also receive a reasonable remuneration package to subsidise their travelling expenses and daily sustenance.
Moreover, our students would not be shortchanged in the event that their teachers are sick -- especially in light of the chikungunya onslaught -- and have to be absent for an extended period.
These substitute teachers could be interviewed and selected by the Ministry of Education. Their qualifications, skills and contact details could then be uploaded to a portal system that can be easily accessed by local school administrators. Once teachers are absent or scheduled to be absent, the principal may contact appropriate substitutes to fill in.
Training may be provided as necessary to ensure that all substitutes are au fait with the curriculum and the regulations of the schools.
Full-time teachers who know that they will be absent could aid the substitution process by preparing materials, worksheets and instructional content for their students and have these administered by the substitute teachers.
Please note that I am not encouraging teacher absenteeism. I am simply proposing an approach that could promote greater efficiency and productivity in our education system. Other protocols may be implemented to discourage any abuse of the foregoing system.
Shawna Kay Williams
Old Harbour, St Catherine
Shawna201@gmail.com
Substitute teachers needed
-->