Shame on you Miss/Sir

The Soloist, Contributor

I have a failing grade for the nation's public school teachers. And, I would like to declare that I was at one time a teacher in the public- and private-school systems here too. But prior to those days, I grew up with uncles, aunts and cousins who were also teachers. They had an enviable record of working more for the satisfaction of turning out excellent students, than for the measly salary they knew they would be getting.

Those were the embarrassingly good old days when students actually had to finish the syllabus by the time the pre-exam study week came and there was also time left in between for revision. Yes, those 'aliens' who were real educators, did not leave the more crucial parts of the syllabuses for 'extra lessons' (chi-ching time for teachers). And so the children had better learn. If extras were required, teachers did not demand money.

When I was a teacher in high school, I told my students and their parents the first time they asked that they better suck it all up during class time because my free time was mine. I would not be teaching any extra classes. I had accepted the fact that I loved a profession that paid me poorly for a lot of work, so I sought to use my free time to make money at my other skills to supplement my income. And my relatives abroad kept me well dressed too!

By that time, the highway robbery now known as extra lessons, had begun. Even without extra lessons, the first time I entered students for an external exams I got 75 per cent pass. Feeling proud of myself, I went to boast to the principal who told me I had failed the other 25 per cent! He made me understand that I was accountable for the failures.

extra lessons

As far as extra lessons go, nowadays, parents don't seem to have a choice; they gladly pay for them because today's children are so damned lazy and, it seems, a lot more tough-headed, they need round-the-clock lessons. These children do no chores, have a lot more at their disposal in this technologically driven world, yet they produce the kind of shameful results we are now quarrelling about. In the decades when children performed better, teachers had far fewer resources at their disposal.

So I say, well done Mr Shaw. It's about time someone demanded value for money. Meanwhile, Michael Stewart seems to be letting them off the hook. No apology is needed. I can remember the many times when as a teacher, education officers and other senior school officials drilled it into our heads in staff meetings and seminars that "if the child hasn't learnt, the teacher hasn't taught". Did we forget that one? Whatever happened to accountability and responsibility? And on that note, when will we have a system of performance-based pay for school teachers? And why did the teachers not strike through Teacher's Day? Pardon my stupidity, even in the face of poor performance, they still expect to be showered with gifts!

Are these teachers really happy with the value they are giving for money? Did someone hold them at gun point and make them become teachers? Did they not know that teachers, nurses and policemen are among the worst paid in the island? And are they on Mars or are they as unaware of the consequences of the International Monetary Fund and our ongoing global recession? Do they know what is happening in Greece now?

Check your own report cards Miss/Sir!

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