MUT allegations

I have recently read that the MUT has indicated "schools where harassment took place". I am of the opinion that as the heading goes, this is already an unfair statement with regard to heads of school who seem to have been daring to call a spade a spade.

The report stated that the MUT stopped short of naming the schools where it alleged that some teachers had been made to sign their performance appraisal without being given the chance to review them at home.

First, I can understand why the MUT did not name the schools. Such an action based on an allegation could lead to defamation with consequent results. This would also reflect the MUT general stand, as far as I know, of opposing the publication of the name of any educator involved in any allegations, of opposing the publication of schools' audit reports and of schools' results of junior lyceum entrance examinations and the SEC results as these could presumably give an unfair picture of particular school situations.

Secondly, I am not aware that teachers, being professionally trained, have to take home their performance appraisal to have it reviewed. As far as I know, it has been the practice to have such appraisals read at leisure at school, discussed if necessary and returned with comments and signature to the respective superiors.

I do believe that it is the duty of heads to appraise teachers according to the merits and that of teachers to shoulder their responsibility for all the actions. I also understand that in the past the MUT used to verify facts before proceeding with publishing allegations. This time it seems that some of its officials have reacted rashly without doing their "homework", unwittingly forgetting the dual role of the union - that is, that of a serious trade union and a responsible educational institution.

Finally, I would agree that appraisals have to be seriously made, to be just and transparent though the definition of the latter word still needs to be formulated. This explains why sometimes such appraisals inevitably hurt, and when faced with such a situation the MUT would do well to review its position before making any insinuations and rush to the press.