School closures put teachers under pressure, say education groups

 

Teachers have difficulty in trying to discipline students remotely and getting their attention, says a unionist. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Closures of schools because of the Covid-19 pandemic affects teachers as well as schoolchildren, say education activists who believe teachers come under pressure to ensure that no pupil is left behind.

Mak Chee Kin of the Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education, said the work-from-home order and online learning could disrupt the work-life balance for teachers.

“There would be no limitation in working because everything can be done online. Therefore, they are expected to be available 24/7. That aside, parents depend solely on teachers and have high expectations of them,” he said.

Dedicated and responsible teachers, especially those who are not digital-savvy, would also feel the pressure to prepare online teaching materials,

Mak added that the education ministry should have a comprehensive system that encompasses the wellbeing of all teachers as well as others.

He also raised concerns about teachers using their own money to provide learning materials.

“The education ministry is the only ministry where its staff (teachers) have to use their own money to provide learning materials for students. On top of that, the education ministry does not prepare sufficient necessary equipment, such as computers and printers for teachers.

“Teachers have to pay for their own materials, internet quota and use their own gadgets to help students and yet some people are telling them that they are not doing enough,” he said, adding that these difficulties would demoralise them in the long term.

Harry Tan, secretary-general of the National Union of the Teaching Profession, said teachers have always been burdened by work not related to teaching.

“The added responsibilities will be in engaging the parents to oversee their children’s studies, disciplining the kids remotely and arresting the students’ attention through the monitor,” Tan said.

Fatin Amirah, a teacher at Tenby International Primary School, said parents have become more agitated and contact teachers more often. “Most of the queries are about learning requests, how to support their children’s learning and about preparing materials beforehand for their children’s activities,” she said.

Fatin also believes that the school closure has caused the quality of teaching to deteriorate. “Our quality of teaching expectations is interrupted. Physical classes allow us to teach while demonstrating the lesson contents and observe the students’ progress. But now, it would be hard for teachers to assess students’ improvement,” she said. - FMT