I am resending this post in plain text. Sorry for double posting Tony Hi Goa-Netters, This refers to the ongoing thread on the issue.
Having been a teacher for 38+ years, (I have worked across the spectrum - Teacher - Supervisor - Head), it pains me to read about molestation of students by teachers, corporal punishment being meted out to students and such injustices. May I submit the following for consideration 1.These problems are encountered because teachers often do not have a sense of professionalism. Mother Theresa is said to have told Pundit Nehru, "I can teach the nurses that you want, but who will teach them dedication?" Many a time, individuals take up to teaching because of the fairly attractive pay packet. Others work at teaching because it is their last refuge. As an activist for the AGSSTA in the early days of my career, I was among those who fought for security of service under the leadership of the Late Mr. Ravindra Pai Raiturkar. When I got promoted in administrative positions, (supervisor, HM), I found that what I had fought for was a double edged sword. As an employee, (even though a head), I was sympathetic to the aspect of security. But at the same time, I have observed that there are many teachers who need to be terminated because of a lack of dedication, and sloppy work. But then, because of security of service, termination of services often lands the management in the proverbial fire, so most managements just let things lie. Very often, though the teacher is unfit, there is the human aspect and such teachers are allowed to stay on such considerations. This is not to say that I condone non-professionalism in teachers, but we need to adopt a 'hire and fire' policy in the larger interests of students and the school. The rules for recruitment of teachers which are heavily loaded in favour of academic performance should be modified. 2. In remote villages, particularly in Government schools, Teachers often do not act as teachers merely because of the lack of supervision. The teachers are free to do as they please. 3. With regard to understanding pupils, I have this to say, teachers do by and large have patience and tolerance and understanding to a great extent. But they are also human beings with all the emotions of the human race. Teachers are often under pressure to produce results. This is because of the uniform syllabus which does not recognize the fact that some students have mental limitations. Some students simply cannot study a given subject. Take Mathematics or Hindi, these subjects are often beyond the ability of some students. Shouldn't there be a system in place which allows them to study these subjects up to a certain level and then drop them at the SSC level? (this problem is solved by opting for IG open school). Much of the frustration of teachers comes from this. Also, there is a serious need of counsellors in each school. Some students are simply trouble makers because our educational system has nothing worthwhile to offer them. Take for instance kids in the coastal belt, many play truant because they earn large sums of money off the tourist trade! 4. It must be admitted that children do need correction and a certain amount of independence. I have seen parents of grownup children carry the students bags to class. Children of today are pampered. Somewhere down the line, we have assumed the role of giving children a better life and future as compared to the life we have had. This mollycoddling of children has been responsible for making them dependent individuals and lack personal individuality. Some parents, many of whom are abroad give children money and lavish gifts to buy their love. I know this sounds hard. But such children turn out to be great problem makers, distracting their class mates and flaunting their wealth to their peers and superiors. Again an attitude is created something like " We have all the money in the world so why study?" These children are inattentive and distracting so what can the teacher do? Among young children, there is a tendency to hero worship. These children soon have a following. So what can a teacher do? Again there are parents who refuse to sign children's results to 'punish' them for poor performance. When called to school, they refuse to come. This puts the school authorities to a lot of trouble. 5. Most schools have PTA's. The parents role is important in the PTA. There are three types of PTA Committees - supportive, indifferent or interfering. A supportive PTA can do a lot to eliminate problems of children. Once again, I must emphasise, that I do not condone acts of molestation or corporal punishments to students, but I do feel that there has to be an understanding of the teachers. For one thing, teaching is a career akin to slavery. Once in it for a sufficient number of years, there is no out. You are stuck for life. Imagine the plight of teachers who have to teach children in Std V the English alphabet when the children out to be Reading much higher level language. The struggle that one has to put up. And to have to do this year in and year out without any appreciation, any chances of promotional prospects except for a different grade of pay once in 12 years. A reading of the book "Wilt" by Tom Sharpe would give some insight into this aspect (though humorously). Tony -- Tony de Sa Ph: +91 832 2470148 E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] M: +91 9975 162 897
