Joseph Grech
More school, less holidays please
Teachers are stressed because they have to cram the overloaded syllabus into too little class time, and try to teach children who are themselves over-stressed.
Speak to any foreign parents regarding school summer holidays and you soon start realising why the Maltese education system is so stressful to students, parents and teachers alike.
While Maltese students and teachers’ summer holidays are about three months long, most schools in the UK, for example, only have a six-week break, approximately from the last week of July to the second week of September.
When you add to these three months the holidays in mid-term, Christmas, Easter, as well as for teachers’ occasional ‘professional development days’, school outings, and so on, the result is that the Maltese ‘scholastic year’ is approximately only seven-and-a-half months long.
Now consider the length of the school day. At the school my children attend, lessons start at 8.30 a.m. and end at 2.30 p.m. for junior school, and 2.50 p.m. for senior school.
Some schools evidently end earlier as I often see schoolgirls arriving home by around 1.30 p.m., although they may start a little earlier.
So, allowing about an hour for school breaks, that leaves only about five hours of schooling per day, or 25 per week. And teachers actually have even less contact hours with students per week.
Now throw into the mix the Maltese school syllabus, which is well-known to be overloaded, and the final ingredient: parents’ very high standards of expectations of academic achievement from their children. What have you got? A pressure cooker, and an all-round lose-lose situation.
Students are stressed out because teachers are forced to cram as much teaching as possible in as little time as possible, and give loads of homework to reinforce what little they are able to do in class.
This leaves students precious little free time to undertake extra-curricular activities, let alone spend ‘quality time’ with their families. Stressed-out students are also more likely to vent their frustration on their teachers, parents, siblings and friends.
Parents are also stressed out trying to help their children do their homework as fast as possible and shuttling them to and from after-school activities.
In my household, notwithstanding our best efforts, one of my children regularly ends up finishing the last homework task at around 10 p.m. When one adds to this all the housework that needs to be done, often after a day at work, there is little quality time left to relax or communicate with the husband/wife or partner.
Teaching is said to be one of the most stressful and poorly paid of the local professions. If this is true it would explain why there is more demand than supply in most areas of the teaching profession, including the primary sector. One might wonder why this is so, when their working day is so short and holidays so generous.
My guess is that teachers are stressed out because they have to cram the overloaded syllabus into too little class time, and then have to correct too much homework afterwards. They also probably have a hard time trying to teach and control the children who are themselves stressed, and so are more likely not to understand what is being taught, or worse, couldn’t be bothered.
The popularity of private lessons is a phenomenon probably unique to Malta. One even hears of already high-achieving students being sent to private lessons in summer just “for revision”.
With the little teaching time available within school hours and the overloaded syllabus, coupled with parents’ high expectations and teachers’ short working day, all the demand and supply ingredients are present for self-sustaining growth.
There are various causes for concern over private lessons. Teachers who give such lessons might be tempted to ease off on their strenuous efforts to teach during school hours in order to boost demand for their services after school hours for extra pay.
The students they teach both at school and at private lessons may get to know beforehand or, worse still, be coached specifically on those topics that the teachers know are coming out in school exams or Matsec exams.
In this day and age when air-conditioning can relieve much of the discomfort of the summer heat, how can three months’ summer holidays still be justified?
Understandably, the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) would fight tooth and nail against any shortening of the summer holidays or extension of school hours. After all, when would teachers be able to conduct private lessons or do second jobs to supplement their income?
The MUT is currently in a long-running dispute with the Ministry of Education. Indeed, the source of teachers’ anger is that, in 2007, a few weeks after the MUT signed an agreement with the ministry that capped teachers’ salary increases to modest levels, the government was forced to sign much more generous agreements with the doctors and nurses’ unions, ahead of the transfer to Mater Dei Hospital.
Now, if I were the Education Minister, and if public finances allowed it, I would try to resolve the various above-mentioned issues, which cause excessive stress to students, parents and teachers alike, by proposing a package that offered teachers more generous financial remuneration in return for shorter summer holidays and a longer school day and, at the same time, introduce greater accountability and improved quality control.
A longer school day and shorter holidays would allow teachers more time to go through the syllabus, and for students to learn. This in itself should already result in less stress for both teachers and students.
If teachers have more time in class to ensure students have learnt a topic, there should also be less need for homework. Less homework would mean more time for extra-curricular activities and more time for family members to communicate with each other.
More time within class coupled with greater accountability and improved quality control should hopefully translate into a better standard of teaching within school hours, and therefore less need for parents to fork out extra money for private lessons.
I am sure parents would prefer their children to be learning at their regular school than attending summer schools, private lessons, or even worse, completely wasting their time watching TV, surfing Facebook, chatting on MSN and the phone, playing on their Playstations or Nintendo DSs, idling on the beaches and generally vegetating.
I know many teachers reading this may be horrified at the suggestion of cutting by half their precious three-month summer holidays, and doing away with their summer half-days and short working hours.
But perhaps many would consider working longer hours if their pay was raised sufficiently to compensate them, or make up for loss of potential additional earnings from second jobs or private lessons.
Higher teachers’ pay may mean higher school fees in private schools, unless they could benefit from some sort of state subsidy. But in any case, many parents who choose such schools may consider it worth paying more for a better service.
If teachers can be given sufficient financial compensation and they realise that, ultimately, such changes would lead to a less stressful and higher quality education system, my guess is that even they would realise the result would be a win-win situation that benefits not only themselves, but also students, parents, and ultimately society in general.
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A J Vella
Aug 18th 2010, 11:52
Mr Grech compares the Maltese system of education to a pressure cooker but is suggesting that instead of opening the valve, the government should lift the lid. Just like the aforementioned pressure cooker, the problem would blow up in the government's face. Although teachers need a much-deserved pay rise, they also need holidays to relax and gather themselves for the following scholastic year. The naive solution presented is not feasible because of the costs of airconditioning, increased wages and upkeep of school facilities, not to mention the added strain put on public transport during the tourism season. Since Malta's education system has one of the highest standards in Europe, it would make more sense to rid Maltese syllabi of their superfluous content. It would take less time to cover the syllabi, less need for private lessons and less stress for all. It would also leave more time for students with their families and friends, and to participate in extracurricular activities which contribute to holistic education, a word that seems to have been left out in this article. After all, education is not just about covering sylllabi for students to regurgitate in their final exams.
Maria Blanco
Aug 16th 2010, 11:19
Mr Grech,
I couldn't read through all of your article, but let me correct you on one vital mistake you made.
I've been teaching at schools in the UK for the past few years, and I can assure you we get our good share of 'holiday time'! One full week at each half-term, three weeks each for Christmas and Easter holidays, plus six to seven weeks in summer. The 'contact hours' with the students are no more than in Malta, where I grew-up. Some schools in the UK have a school-day that finishes at 5:30pm, that's true. But anything that happens after 3.30pm is for extra-curricular activities, including sport, music, drama, prep time etc etc. In Malta children are traumatised with private lessons of all sorts after-school hours ...
And the crux of the matter is, as many people have already pointed out. The best education children can get is from their parents. There is nothing more important than family time, and it is sad that so many parents are scared and stressed about it!!
Karl Axisa
Aug 15th 2010, 19:42
Dear Mr. Grech
The root of this article is simply the difficulties faced by parents, especially working mothers more so if they are single, to entertain their children whilst they are at work. I suggest that rather than reduce teachers' well deserved holidays get a baby sitter.
Instead of fantasizing and writing fairy tales, get the facts right. Had you contacted the MUT before putting pen to paper! Please stop harping out the same balderdash. Do check your math please! 3 months do not fit in between 12th of July and the 16 th of September. Be careful when offering the rise in pay carrot. A day off today will still count as a day off tomorrow, a year from now, ten years, twenty years from now and so on and so forth. A ten euro note today will be less tomorrow let alone in twenty years time. I am sure that teachers are able to make wise decisions.
Last thing, If you know of teachers giving private lessons to students whom they teach at school you can always report them...if you have an axe to grind. Such a practice is against teachers' code of ethics.
Mariella Galea
Aug 15th 2010, 17:51
Dear Mr. Grech,
If you don't like your children, why don't you send them to a boarding school somewhere in Nepal, instead of throwing all you have at the teachers. As a parent I always look forward to my son's Holidays and get very sad when school is starting again. Unfortunately many parents tend to look at the holidays as a curse rather than a gift... to spend more quality time with their children, go to the sea etc., Today everyone is busy working, so their children can be comfortable, that they prefer to send their children to school all year round rather to than spending some quality time together. There is time for school and time for the children and their parents to be FREE together - let's not destroy this
Rita Debono
Aug 15th 2010, 16:55
I've worked for a number of years in an office and I've now been teaching for 21 years. What kept me from going back to an office job was because I wanted more time with my sons. But I never had any idea of what it meant to spend 6 hours a day with in a classroom full of children with different needs, abilities and characters. Teachers in the primary are allowed 15-20 minutes break at 10am and while they're eating their lunch they're correcting copybooks, listening to children's complaints, collecting money, arranging the classroom and ......watching over their cup of coffee which many on many occasions turns cold or is spilled while the teacher is trying to reach the other side of the yard amongst the rush of energetic children.
One last thing, has Mr. Grech checked the number of teachers graduating this year? Has he checked how many teachers are applying for the post of Assistant Heads because they are fed up of being in a classroom? Teachers can't be bought with promises of money or holidays. Teachers just want to be left alone to do their job!!
paul vellacritien
Aug 15th 2010, 16:18
I hope that mr. j grech applies for a teacher's job ,if he reckons its a great job.The salary of a teacher is really a joke when you compare it with other jobs, have your pick, even people with O or A levels are paid more in certain jobs.Even some lucky sucks are paid higher wages, you know what I mean!!!!!!.Well , my advice to these people is simple ,apply for a teahers job,and you will know how great it is.Way back in early 1990, a goverment call for public service employees to join the teaching profession, only three people applied ,that how good the salary is.All I can say is I think I know what the problem is ????? ha ha ....Banana republic charateristics.
caroline young
Aug 15th 2010, 15:56
i cannot believe that this newspaper can waste print ink on such an article. I for one would certainly not wish my son to be stuck inside a classroom in summer. there is more to education than school what about sports, art , cooking and reading, what about making new friends or even spending time as a family before this is no longer possible? as for idling on the beach how unimaginative can you get? What about swimming, water polo, skiing, fishing and snorkeling ?. We are blessed with a wonderful climate its sad that we dont take time to enjoy with our children then maybe they wouldent spend so much time on facebook,etc.
A. Borg
Aug 15th 2010, 14:58
Mr. Grech writes (maybe genuinely) in favour of less stress in our educational system. Rightly so... He also writes about the meagre conditions of work teachers and those professionals working in schools encounter. Rightly so... There are alot more issues one can mention in such an article to reduce stress. However... may I pinpoint that the ONLY way to reduce stress from schools is to tone-down most aspects of the curriculum. Many students are frustrated because they cannot understand their topics which some of them are far beyond our students' utmost intelligence.
I will not comment about the holidays since most comments below said enough. The education systems (governmental, church and private) must start looking at alternatives to whiteboard-based subjects if we need to strengthen it.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 15th 2010, 14:14
Regarding private lessons:
In general, private lessons are there for students who feel that they are not doing well in the syllabus covered.
But private lessons are also sought by students in unruly classes, where good order is not being maintained (as a result of maladministration of the school, teacher incompetence and overrowdy lot in a class-room).
You would find that odd teacher who, wittingly, keeps students back from covering the whole syllabus so that they would go to his/her private lessons. In such cases, where is the parent? Rather than writing articles wherein he passes judgement over all teachers, he should fulfill his parental duty and right and have a quiet word in the head's ear.
Generally speaking, it is the parents who insist on sending their children to private lessons. So, where's the problem?
I think that this parent has a bad experience of teachers in general - he targets many accusations at them, including the one we hear most. How can a teacher possibly know what is coming out in a SEC examination? It would be pure guesswork.
Speaking as a teacher, I would want my whole class to pass exams, not just the few.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 15th 2010, 14:03
Various points that this Mr Grech should think about, next time he writes a sequel to this article:
1. How many schools is he aware of, round the world, and in Malta, where classes are A/c'ed? How does that contribute to the carbon footprint of those institutions? Which institutions are going to afford such power? And would parents be only paying lip-service or will they put money where their mouths are and contribute heftily for the extra power needed?
2. Has Mr Grech forgotten how many school-days are cancelled abroad, due to inclement weather?
3. Does Mr Grech realise what a huge comparson exists between the number of subjects covered in Maltese schools and those covered in schools abroad? Abroad, by the way, from a very young age, students go to specialised schools and learn the few subject that these schools have to offer.
4. 4. What is the opinion of Mr Grech re 'extracurricular subjects'? Is Grech one of those Maltese parents who believe that such subjects are unnecessary? Does Mr Grech suspect that when students are on such extracurricular subjects, teachers have an off day? Cos if he thinks so, he is so very wrong!
S. Calaio
Aug 15th 2010, 11:51
First of all I would like to point out that schools are definetely not a baby-sitting institution. One of the main reasons why so many people want longer hours at school, is that it solves problems for working parents because they won't have to think about where to dump their children.
What Joseph Grech failed to mention in his article is that in England they get 3 WEEKS (Malta- 2 weeks) christmas holidays, 3 WEEKS (Malta state schools 1 week) easter holidays and their mid-terms are definitely longer than the 2/3 days we get.
If Joseph Grech is so Knowlegeable in what us teachers should or shouldn't do, how about if he takes a class in the middle of July (biex inkunu bhall-ingilterra ux!!!) and tries to spend a day giving lessons. Is he aware of how hot classrooms are, even towards the end of May??? Let alone in mid July!!!!!!!!
For Mr. Joseph Galea's information, I started my holidays on the 7th July, while others on the 12th (due to in-service courses). On the 17th September I'm back on duty for an in-service course. So that definitely does not make 3 MONTHS of holidays!!!!
CFabri
Aug 19th 2010, 10:30
S. Calaio you comment about 'dumping their children' really hurts. Not everyone is so lucky like yourself and other teachers to have so much holidays (vacation leave). Other workers in Malta have to do with 24days vacation leave throughout the whole year which do not even compare to half of what a teacher gets as holidays! It is not a question of dumping your child. Believe me I prefer staying at home with my daughter than placing her at a childcare to be able to go to work but circumstances do not always permit such a leisure and it is not a question of getting more money to be able to spoil your child! Rest assured that all of my vacation leave is taken to spend time with my daughter especially during her school holidays or when she is sick! Maybe if more family friendly measures are introduced like teleworking, parents will feel less guilty having to go to work ever day. After all I think even teachers, to use your term 'dump their children' in childcare centres or at their grandparents to be able to go and teach everyday during the scholastic year!
Ruben Baldacchino
Aug 15th 2010, 11:35
It clearly looks that this parent prefers his children staying longer hours at school, instead then spending their time with their family. A parent that loves his family would love to spend as much as possible time with his family, rather than trying to keep his children away from home.
Secondly this article is full of inaccuracies and is only written to harm all the people working in the educational sector. Before putting pen to paper, I´d think before writting anything, and I hope the editor gives a right of reply to clear all the untrue things said in the article especially regarding the holidays.
Thirdly speaking about private lessons, it s the parents who decide to send them to private lessons. Most of the times students don´t need private lessons as they are already prepared well at their schools, but maybe he s one that would send them so they are less time at home, or not?
Franco Farrugia
Aug 15th 2010, 10:32
Contd.
2.
This is a far cry from the few days (ranging from 2-7 days) that we get in Malta.
Be mindful: a few schools in Malta, especially those run by nuns, DO, unfortunately, abuse the system.
Also, please, leave out the weekends, since everyone partakes of weekends.
Why does the writer make out that 'school outings' should not be included within the programme of formation? Or does this writer think that 'schooling' is all about sitting down in class, learning like robots? If this were to be the case, I think that this newspaper has carried out a greater 'faux pas' for allowing a contributor to write about a subject that s/he is not acquainted with and in which s/he is not fully updated with.
Regarding times, most schools start at 8.00 am. The school I taught in for the past 19 years started lessons at 7.40.
I am not going to continue criticisiing and bringing to his knees the writer of this article. All I can say is: Well done, Mr Grech. Written like a true, trypically-Maltese parent with an axe to grind against teachers.
Christian Colombo
Aug 15th 2010, 11:44
I'm sorry Mr Farrugia... but I think you completely missed the point of the article. If anything the idea is to make the education system less stressful both to the students and teachers alike. Anyway, the article is not about teachers... it is about giving a better education and quality of life to students... it is unfortunate that you are trying to defend teachers rather than seeing the valid point this parent is trying to make.
Jeanette Farrugia
Aug 15th 2010, 12:00
I totally agree with Franco Farrugia's comments. Obviously Mr Grech has no idea how our school system really works and neither how the foreign system works in most schools. Mid term breaks are more frequent and longer than ours. Also the weather is not the same in July and early September as in Malta. Many factors have to be taken into consideration.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 15th 2010, 13:57
Dear Mr Colombo,
Please, do not get me wrong but I have been a teacher of languages for many, many years and I possess at least the basic faculties of comprehension! I was not born yesterday and I did not qualify as a teacher a few years ago.
You cannot discuss education unless you bring teachers into it.
This parents appears to have forgotten that education come primarily from the parents, and at home, too. Teachers, and the schools, are delegated BY the parents in order for their children to be taught in a more professional manner.
Rather than advocating longer school-hours and rather than belittling the work-load teachers already have, this parents should voice his concerns regarding the enormous number of school-subjects that students are forced to learn and to be taught.
If this parent truly cherishes his child/ren, he should make it a point to be with them the longest time possible and not to find ways how to turn schools an even longer nanny.
I do not think that this parent has a valid point to make. I think that the main thrust of this article is to have 'more school, and less holidays'.
Franco Farrugia
Aug 15th 2010, 10:24
It is a shame that such a newspaper of good reputation has to carry articles that are full of inaccuracies of fact, sweeping statements, etc...
Itt is not true that summer holidays are three-months long, especially for teachers. Teachers continue with their academic work up to mid-July, when exam papers and other infernal office-work is hopefully, finally over. Soon after, there is a week-long ongoing course that teachers are bound by law to follow - either in July or September. In early September, teachers start being called to school in order to be informed of changes, to be informed of the following academic year, etc... So, really, the second and third paragraphs are wrong because only the month of August is a full month of vacation.
If we must compare our system with similar systems abroad, one would find, for instance, that Halloween holidays take a full 2 weeks, that Christmas and Easter holidays take three to four weeks, according to the country. ...
contd.