Twice the passion and commitment

I have seen the highs and lows of the profession that molds the future of our country. In the teaching profession, aside from the challenge to be ethically upright, there is an incessant demand to provide relevant and quality education. And part of which is to track the development of the learners. Reporting mechanisms must be in place that will lead teachers to produce numerous reports to this effect.

When I started teaching, I had to extend hours, not just two but more, even up to the wee hours adjusting to the new environment —the system, the people and the procedure. I had countless nights when I was in school finishing some work —checking papers, preparing for the next day’s lessons, and the reports. And so to me, what I did seems intrinsic in this kind of profession. Persistent, it is still happening to our teachers at the Department of Education.

Just recently, reports indicate that there were teachers who because of the demand for paperwork ended their lives. They are neophytes and so they need the guidance of the seasoned ones. This must be coupled with the strengthening for the teacher training institutions to highlight in the curriculum the very inherent demands of the profession and for them to be psychologically equipped.

I understand the Department of Education’s rationale of accomplishing such forms which is to continuously ensure that data collected efficiently contributes to proper assessment, planning, and allocation of the department’s resources. The reports teachers need to complete allow the agency and its teaching personnel to gather evidence aimed at identifying areas of improvement in delivering quality education. But when teachers no longer have enough time to prepare for more innovative means of delivering lessons, which is their main function, that is entirely another story.

I believe that with less time for creativity because of myriad duties, it would begin to take a physical and mental toll, and we have replaced relationship building with data collection. Data won't help a child suffering from low self-esteem feel better but a relationship with a teacher might. We need to find a way to remove the many obstacles that are preventing teachers from doing what they are really good at; forging relationships, making children feel good, and changing lives.

Making reports and preparing lesson plans are part of a teacher’s life. Indeed, it is more convenient now with the available technology. We are luckier now because back in the day teachers had to produce everything in handwritten copies.

The reality is that paperwork will never go away. Sharing ideas on how to organize this paperwork and how to become more efficient is always welcome. The most valuable resource the system could give to the teachers is more time to get the work done. Giving teachers more planning time instead of having meetings during that time would be a huge help.

Teachers never stop learning about themselves as well as about their subjects. They constantly search for better ways to teach. Every moment of every day is unique, embracing difference.

But teachers are overburdened, and it is a harsh reality. It is a difficult job and not everyone can do it. Let us find ways to encourage more to enter the profession. A world without teachers is one without a future.

Whatever profession we are in or undertaking we pursue, hard work is a basic requirement. It’s just being in the public service requires twice the passion and commitment. ESSENCE Ligaya Rabago Visaya