A recent statement from the Department of Education has put teachers everywhere on high alert: neglecting to adhere to attendance policies in their schools could result in disciplinary action, even loss of employment. For teachers on the front lines of education, this is of great concern — especially as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt schooling, workplace norms, and much more.
1. Education Cautions with Sanctions for Teachers that Don’t Attend Work
It goes without saying that teachers need to attend work to teach their students. But when teachers fail to show up for work without a valid reason, this can cause major disruption for students and impede the learning process. It’s here that educational sanctions can come in to play.
Schools should set out clear rules about attendance. Teachers need to fulfil their responsibilities, including arriving for work on time each day and if they don’t, then the school has to take action. Education sanctions can include:
- Penalties/deductions in wages – Pay can be cut to ensure that teachers are taking their responsibility seriously.
- Officially noting the absences – Recorded absences can be used to show the teacher’s poor attendance.
- Counselling sessions – Teachers can then speak about why they may be having problems with getting to work in time.
When it comes to educational sanctions against teachers, it’s important that schools remember the principles of fairness and be consistent. This means that the same sanctions should be applied in the same circumstances to ensure that teachers are treated with justice and respect. This way, the school can ensure that the learning process remains uninterrupted.
2. Consequences for Skipping Work Could be Dire
Not showing up for work – or ‘skipping work’ – without a valid reason is not a wise move. Those who fail to report to their jobs without a viable excuse run the risk of facing serious consequences.
Instances of skipping work can mean serious diplomatic issues in the camaraderie of a workplace as well as stress and additional workload for colleagues. In extreme cases, it can even cost a person their job. Neglecting to attend to your professional responsibilities can result in:
- Loss of wages
- Possible termination from your job
- Dip in credibility within the organization
- Tarnished reputation
- Difficulty in finding/securing future employment
By skipping work, you are signalling that not only do you take your job and colleagues for granted, but you can also lack a sense of integrity. Don’t place yourself in the line of fire – understand that coming to work is an integral part of the job.
3. What the Law Dictates for Absconding Teachers
When teachers decide to abandon their responsibility and not show up at the designated teaching period, they are engaging in absconding their duties. To ensure the responsibility of teaching is not taken lightly, certain laws have been made regarding what happens if a teacher absconds their duties.
- Financial Cost: If a teacher is found guilty of absconding from the job, they will be subjected to a financial penalty. This penalty usually corresponds to the number of days that teacher missed due to the absconding of their duties.
- Past Record: The record of any such previous absconsions will come under review. This record is maintained by the school and updated when disciplinary action is necessary.
For repeated absconsions, the School’s Board may decide whether or not the absconding teacher should be terminated from their position. This will ultimately depend on how long the absences have been and if a valid reason is present for it. It is important that students get the guidance and education they require, which is why the law dictates clear action against teachers who abandon their responsibility.
4. Strategies for Strengthening the Educational System
The educational system is a cornerstone of any society, and there are multiple strategies to help strengthen it. The following points explore four meaningful ways to improve the educational system.
- Foster collaboration: The development of a competitive educational system requires collaboration across different stakeholders, including educators, policy makers, parents and investors. Establishing systems and processes to nurture collaboration will have an enormous impact in furnishing equitable, high-quality education as well as ensuring that educational resources are used in a manner that reaches all learners.
- Increase resources: For the educational system to deliver on its promise, it is essential to provide the necessary monetary and technological resources. This requires building consensus between different constituencies in the system to ensure that there is adequate allocation of resources for the benefit of all learners.
- Improve pedagogy: By fostering excellence in teaching, educational institutions can enhance the learning process and improve educational outcomes. Providing extensive training and support to teachers is one way to ensure they have the skills, tools and resources they need to excel.
- Embrace technology: Technology is increasingly playing an important role in the educational system and can be leveraged to stimulate interactive learning and provide students with ample content. Incorporating and adapting technologies to suit different contexts, cultures and learning styles can help reach out more learners and inspire them to perform at a higher level.
By implementing and acting upon these strategies, it is possible to significantly enhance the educational system. Such initiatives can lead to improved student competency and higher educational standards overall.
The Ministry of Education’s warning to not attend school without legal permission is a sign that more action needs to be taken. By enforcing sanctions on teachers that do not adhere to the requirements of their job, the Ministry is demonstrating that the future of education in this country is in safe hands. With vigilance and commitment from the government, parents, and teachers, the foundation of educational success can be established.
