A teacher spills the beans about teaching during COVID-19
A local teacher wrote into Parent24 about her teaching circumstances as schools reopen and how she doesn't feel supported by the Department of Education.
Teachers have long been considered the pillars of our communities; taking care of our children, teaching them right from wrong, and equipping them with the tools they require in the working world. So when we hear about their unhappiness, it scares us, as they play an important role in society, more so now during a pandemic.
Parent24 received an honest letter from a teacher who expressed her deep concern about the way things are going in schools amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Let's just say, she doesn't sound like she feels supported at all!
She starts her letter by explaining that as schools open, she feels uneasy as she will have 31 learners in her class and sharing desks with a divider in between them (a divider that she personally purchased for her class).
She speaks about how she previously had 17 learners in one group and 14 learners in another, and therefore had a 1/17 risk or 1/14 risk as opposed to the 1/31 risk that is now posed to her, as they return to full capacity.
Her concern isn't unwarranted and we are sure that she isn't the only one who is feeling this way, so when she brings up the fact that moving into full capacity knowing that the kids leave school and go on living a life without a mask, a life where they go home and play with their friends and enjoy sleepovers, and then are confused as to why they have to come to school and maintain social distancing?
The teacher sounds burnt out and afraid. She talks about the promises of vaccines and how there has been no rollout considering teachers, no information about registration or expected vaccination dates.
The topic of counseling and mental well-being also comes up in her letter and this is an important factor to consider. How are teachers expected to teach children if they feel mentally unstable?
Her letter speaks about all the things that many teachers feel but are fearful of saying out loud. We sincerely hope that her concerns reach the Department of Education and that someone will make an effort to consider the stress and anxiety that the teachers are going through.
Image Courtesy of iStock