Chat groups a new bugbear in teachers’ lives

 

Today is Teachers’ Day, so allow me to pay tribute to the fraternity which spends nearly as much time with the children as their parents do with them.

I owe a ‘thank you’ to the late Mr David Brown, for showing us that paying attention in class is vital to avoid getting injured. You used to look at the left side of the class while teaching but would throw the duster towards misbehaving students on the right.

To the late Mr Chan Kah Siong, and to Mr Leong Kit Hong, many of our lives would not have added up without both of you as our excellent maths teachers.

As for the late Mr SA Lingam, you taught us how to convey our thoughts without fear or favour during debates, learning how to fight the wrongs in the process. To Madam Ong, choosing me as the teacher’s pet improved my self-esteem to a great extent, coming from a family which was struggling. I owe you one.

The late Cikgu Arshad was always there to lift our spirits with jokes that made us roar with laughter. At that time, such moments strengthened our true multiracial bonds with our classmates of all hues.

Most schools always had that one teacher whose presence would send shivers down the pupils’ spines, and for us, it was our disciplinary head Mr Harold Hzsieh. He would walk around with scissors in hand, snipping away at the unruly and long hair of students. You taught us that there is no compromise when it comes to discipline.

These were among the outstanding teachers at St Mark’s primary and secondary schools in Butterworth, which have produced relatively successful students.

Thanks to all of you, and thanks also to all the 500,000-odd teachers in the country and others who have retired. Happy Teachers’ Day! You were the ones who taught the basics to all the government leaders, though many may have let you down badly. Take it as one of the hazards of the profession.

Why so many retire early

Fast forward to now, the happiness and joy in schools seems to be fading away slowly. With the workload brought about by the internet age increasing steadily, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) says a large number of teachers are opting for early retirement

You will be shocked to know that most teachers, especially the senior ones involved in administration, are in at least 10 chat groups, all related to work. Yes, you read it right, at least 10.

Many find it hard to cope with the annoying and constant buzz of directives sent via chat groups.

What’s wrong with that, some of you may ask. Isn’t this the fastest and most effective way of communicating among teachers especially when the number of staff can be more than 100 in some schools?

Wouldn’t it be much better to communicate this way than to use email or to physically deliver messages to teachers individually? I remember the days when photocopied notices were distributed to teachers by the clerical staff or prefects. It may have been tough but at least it was kept to a minimum because of the inconvenience!

Messages even late at night

But many teachers say the constant buzzing of chat messages, even late at night, is disrupting their lives and intruding into their private space.

One said some school heads showed no concern, just to make sure their directives reach the teachers. Of course there is the option of silencing the phone, she said, but the fear of being hauled up for missing out on instructions makes them not do it.

The problem is many heads want to get their job done at any cost, even if it disrupts the lives of teachers.

One secondary school teacher said there are 12 chat groups in her school, catering separately for all teachers, department heads, subject teachers, administrators and co-curricular activities.

Reading and answering messages often in the day can take much of the teachers’ time and distract them from their household chores, and eats into family time with children and spouses.

Long hours of the job

Most teachers already spend nine to 10 hours in school, which includes staying back for meetings, marking homework, keying in data and supervising extra-curricular activities.

Ideally, they don’t want to take work home.

The education ministry should intervene and issue a directive to stop school heads and others from sending out messages after school hours.

The NUTP had said about 10,000 teachers put in their papers for early retirement each year, in addition to thousands of others going on mandatory retirement.

The retirees cite the ever increasing workload especially with the massive use of online teaching and record-keeping, which require them to key in data personally. They do not have clerks or assistants.

Marking time waiting for pension

The pressure from having to be actively involved in work groups is adding on an already heavy burden. As a result, many are applying to leave the moment they finish 25 years of service to be eligible for a full pension of 50% of the last drawn salary.

Others plod along to finish 30 years, which qualifies them for a pension of 60% of the last drawn basic. They are frank enough to say they do this just to make sure they get higher pensions. Obviously, not because they love the profession.

Next to the health services, the education sector is the most vital for a nation to progress. We need quality teachers and not the ones who join the profession as a last resort. The children need educators who are colour blind and focus on education and not race or religion.

We will be sticking our heads in the sand if we do not accept the reality on the ground that the Malaysian education system has regressed. Besides the workload, the politics of race and religion has also pervaded the institutions.

In Australia and Singapore, doctors and teachers start off with the highest salaries in their respective services. Obviously, this is to attract only the best as the main draw in most professions will be how much one can earn.

Happy Teachers’ day again to all my past teachers and the current crop. Don’t let the kids down. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.