100 Per Cent Level of Commitment Missing From Teachers, Reddy says
The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy has expressed his concerns over the level of commitment and passion from some teachers.
This he says has impacted on the teaching delivery. “Although we are targeting means and ways to improve teacher delivery and job satisfaction through various developments, collaboration and incentives, that 100 per cent level of commitment and passionate development from some of our teachers is still missing,” Mr Reddy said.
He said this was indicated by the percentage of the teachers who were absent from school and those who reported late to school.
For the month of January and February this year, the percentage of secondary school teachers absent in each month was 5.75 while the percentage of teachers late for each month was 2.75.
The total number of secondary school teachers currently is 5140. The percentage of primary school level teachers absent for the month of January this year was 6.25 which decreased to 2.25.
Also, the ministry noted improvement in the percentage of primary level teachers late for the month of February at 1.75 from 3.5 in January.
Mr Reddy while speaking at the Education Forum 2017 at Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi yesterday, said: “Education in the period cannot stay rooted to age old teacher preparedness systems or non-progressive teaching skills and teaching methodologies.”
He said teachers needed to comprehend the situation of teaching and learning in this current time, upgrade and up skill themselves and become highly productive. “Children no longer respond fully to age-old talk and chalk teacher practices or teacher does all routines,” Mr Reddy stated. “Teaching has two components, subject matter knowledge and pedagogy of teaching. “Subject matter knowledge is not really an issue given that all teachers are qualified holding diplomas and degrees in their respective subject areas.
“However, pedagogy is a critical variable in teaching. It deals with having the required knowledge and practice to teach and enhance learning by students.”
Mr Reddy said pedagogies in particular in secondary schools must be continuously enhanced to improve the learning environment and have the students captivated.