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Principals, senior teachers block success
Published: Thursday | March 22, 2012
THE EDITOR, Sir:CERTAINLY, IT is not a pleasure to say that some principals and so-called senior teachers contribute to what is called 'failing schools'. Some principals and, in some instances, senior teachers withhold relevant/critical information from regular classroom teachers. They want to be the ones that know it all. They usually wait for the last minute, such as when a visitor is expected, to disclose critical or useful information to teachers. With no apology, they behave like 'crabs in a barrel', and this greatly affects teachers' performance which, in turn, affects students' performances.
School affairs are treated as personal home affairs in the sense that only family members or special teachers are allowed to do certain jobs in certain schools. Isn't it questionable that when needy parents give of their service it is considered as volunteering, but when parents who reside out of the actual school community who are well-off give of their service, they are paid for it? Why not avoid paying the well-off parents and pay the needy ones for their service, especially since they are willing and, in most instances, go all out to support whatever is happening in the school? If we pay them, it will only encourage them to support and protect the school.
Another sore point is the fact that some principals are close 'buddies' with the education officer assigned to the school. They are so close that the principal's every action is approved. This leaves little space for a regular classroom teacher to be fully confident with the education officer and, therefore, reduces the level of trust and communication of the truth and critical information in the interest of protecting one's job.
Protecting image at students' expense
Honesty is lacking in the schools today and this might just be contributing to 'failing schools'. So many schools are failing, but because of dishonesty, they are not revealed. So many students are denied the opportunity to sit exams because principals and senior teachers say they are 'not ready' and would pull down the school's average, thus putting the school under pressure. Isn't it unfair to the students, since they are just left to 'blow with the wind' through the education system?
Principals and senior teachers must wake up and realise that if regular classroom teachers don't support them, the school will fail. Every teacher and student deserves the opportunity to be an effective working link in the education system. Cut out the dishonesty, the selfish and conniving behaviours, provide a level playing field of full performance, and give regular classroom teachers and students a fair chance to perform and achieve success.
Concerned Stakeholder
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...cleisure5.html
Published: Thursday | March 22, 2012
THE EDITOR, Sir:CERTAINLY, IT is not a pleasure to say that some principals and so-called senior teachers contribute to what is called 'failing schools'. Some principals and, in some instances, senior teachers withhold relevant/critical information from regular classroom teachers. They want to be the ones that know it all. They usually wait for the last minute, such as when a visitor is expected, to disclose critical or useful information to teachers. With no apology, they behave like 'crabs in a barrel', and this greatly affects teachers' performance which, in turn, affects students' performances.
School affairs are treated as personal home affairs in the sense that only family members or special teachers are allowed to do certain jobs in certain schools. Isn't it questionable that when needy parents give of their service it is considered as volunteering, but when parents who reside out of the actual school community who are well-off give of their service, they are paid for it? Why not avoid paying the well-off parents and pay the needy ones for their service, especially since they are willing and, in most instances, go all out to support whatever is happening in the school? If we pay them, it will only encourage them to support and protect the school.
Another sore point is the fact that some principals are close 'buddies' with the education officer assigned to the school. They are so close that the principal's every action is approved. This leaves little space for a regular classroom teacher to be fully confident with the education officer and, therefore, reduces the level of trust and communication of the truth and critical information in the interest of protecting one's job.
Protecting image at students' expense
Honesty is lacking in the schools today and this might just be contributing to 'failing schools'. So many schools are failing, but because of dishonesty, they are not revealed. So many students are denied the opportunity to sit exams because principals and senior teachers say they are 'not ready' and would pull down the school's average, thus putting the school under pressure. Isn't it unfair to the students, since they are just left to 'blow with the wind' through the education system?
Principals and senior teachers must wake up and realise that if regular classroom teachers don't support them, the school will fail. Every teacher and student deserves the opportunity to be an effective working link in the education system. Cut out the dishonesty, the selfish and conniving behaviours, provide a level playing field of full performance, and give regular classroom teachers and students a fair chance to perform and achieve success.
Concerned Stakeholder
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...cleisure5.html