K. Campbell
(In a letter to the Editor)
THOUGH THIS concept of performance pay is in principle fair and logical, it is, however, difficult to actually marry tests and exam results to a teacher's performance solely.
The problem of misinterpretation and uncertainty therefore arises. Can we really use CXC examination results, test or class exam results as performance indicators? Is this fair to the teachers?
The issue of shifts in role models is an influencing factor. The magnitude and significance of this shift is debatable and may never be accurately quantified, but nevertheless it cannot be denied that it exists. It is also evident that children from various backgrounds have distinctly different types of role models.
Parental support is another influencing factor, which in my opinion has changed. I offer no supporting statistics but I think that parental support for their children with respect to studies at primary and secondary levels have declined.
The issue of availability and access to facilities, educational aids and equipment is a very important one. Unless all schools expected to be encompassed by this performance pay regime are equal in those respects it will be unfair to teachers employed to schools that are lacking.
In Jamaican schools, special classes or treatment for children with problems such as attention deficit disorder are non-existent. There are numerous and complex factors concerned with the capacity to learn and psychology of children, which apparently are not factored into local educational institutions apart from each school having a guidance counsellor. The effect of one final/major exam as opposed to continuous evaluation throughout the school year or duration of a course/subject is also important.
Where does personal initiative, love of a subject/course and studying come in? On a personal note I basically had no accounts taught to me for my fifth form year, I did my own studying and practising of accounts with friends, and guess what? I passed with a grade two.
On the other side of the coin, I can understand the discontent some teachers feel and express as a result of sub-standard teachers getting the same salary for basically attending school. Additionally, it is not fair those teachers who have invested time and money into honing their skills to be on the same level as someone not trained and who have not invested as much.
However, is seeing your students graduate with success and good grades the primary inspiration or is it to be paid for your duties performed? Are you teaching just because... or is teaching a calling?
My final opinion is pay all teachers based on a combination of qualifications, level of subject/s taught, contents of lesson plans and amount of teaching hours. I personally would love to hold teachers accountable for my future children's grades but it's just not practical.
K. CAMPBELL, kccamp76@hotmail.com
Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Via Go-Jamaica
