When the principal rules with an iron fist

A HEADMASTER in a primary school in Sibu was scalded when a teacher splashed a glass full of hot water after an argument with the HM.

The incident happened when the HM was going on his regular rounds in the school and had walked into the teacher’s class while she was teaching.

This infuriated the teacher who felt that the HM did not trust her and was checking on her.

In the confusion, the teacher splashed hot water on the HM. The HM suffered burns on his back and hands.

What made the teacher react in such a manner?

Maybe the teacher has some psychological or personal problems with the HM.

Teachers are under a lot of pressure and stress in school.

Head teachers may add to the pressure and stress faced by teachers, when they should alleviate teacher stress.

As head of the school, the head teacher sets the working tone and environment in the school.

Some teachers like their head teachers while others loathe theirs.

Head teachers need to earn the respect of their teachers for the school to function effectively and productively, and for the teachers to give their heart and soul to teaching the children.

Draconian and highhanded measures can break good teachers and make them hate teaching.

It was disheartening to read a report in the media a few months ago about a teacher who was barred from entering the school by a head teacher because the teacher was “late”.

A parent came to the defence of the teacher, saying that it was 7.15am when the teacher arrived in school, whereas school started at 7.30am.

The head teacher was adamant and refused to budge, and warned the security guards that action would be taken against them if they let the teacher into the school.

The picture of the teacher being locked out of the school went viral on social media, and many lashed out at the school authorities for bullying the teacher.

According to the head teacher, the teacher had a record of coming late to school.

There are Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for dealing with teachers who come late to school but locking them out of the school is definitely not one of them.

If, despite verbal and written warnings, the teacher continuously comes late to school, the head teacher can seek the help of the district education officers. The School Improvement Specialist Coaches (SISC) in the district education offices can counsel the teacher.

The head teacher can also refer the teacher to the state education office.

Locking the teacher out of the school in the presence of parents and pupils is akin to washing dirty linen in public and it does not augur well for the professional and social wellbeing of the teacher.

How is the teacher to work in such circumstances?

How will the head teacher be able to work with that teacher?

The irony of it is that school had not started when the teacher was locked out of the school. It was only 7.15am.

This is the sad scenario in some schools where head teachers rule with an iron fist and dictate unfavourable terms and conditions to teachers.

It is not surprising to find teachers teaching children in classrooms in some schools before 7am, though school officially starts at 7.30am. In some primary schools, teaching begins at 7am, especially in Year 6 classes.

These are the overenthusiastic headteachers who “slavedrive” teachers to achieve their own agenda of zero defect in education in their schools.

These head teachers instill fear in their teachers and exercise their authority without question.

The teachers are simply pawns who work with no true passion or love for the school.

Hopefully these little Napoleons who sit as head teachers in schools realise that teachers and children are humans and not machines to be driven to excellence and perfection.