Friday, August 10, 2007

How to attract quality teachers to the profession

Today, education is one of the most important issues we need to tackle with in our society because we have so many problems related to children and schools. This is the concern not only for our generation but also for that of the future. Recently, a lot of people criticize poor quality
of teachers. Teachers have less ability to handle touchy issues than
ever before. As professional teacher, they should have strong vision to manage class and look after their students. If their efforts come off well, they should be praised in return for their fruits. It can be a good motivation to lead them to the better profession.

Now, I'd like to talk about two ideas to attract quality teachers to the
profession.

Firstly, implement teacher evaluation system.
Capitalistic society encourages free competition, companies try to
create and offer better quality to customers than their rival companies.
To edge out, they make a strong effort by evaluating themselves.
I believe this analogy can be applied to Educational field as well.
For example, "Plan, Do, Check and Action" type process is well common in
business world. However, it has been introduced to educational world since
very recently. This is effective to raise teachers’ awareness to
improve their profession and effective to build their vision to manage class.


Secondly, introduce performance based-system, awards system such as a bonus and a special promotion for outstanding teachers. Seniority system still remains strong. But it should be obsolete in educational world.
For example, one of teachers I know lamented how unfair the current system is.
 She has 20% more classes than average. Besides she supervises swimming team as an extracurricular activity. However, she is less paid than senior co teacher who has less classes and without any extracurricular activity.
Her motivation to the profession is getting deficient, cutting off. We should implement performance
based payment system in return for their effort in educational world.

In conclusion, to attract quality teachers to the profession, I believe
two kinds of systems are needed. Evaluation system and awards system.
Educational world should have a sense of privatization.

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