Teacher appointment policy being formulated

IN reference to the editorial “Students lose in teachers’ war” (The National, March 13), this occurs in a number of schools in different provinces.
While the Education Department is mindful of its effects on our children’s education as well as the overall performance and mo­rale of other teachers, we must remember that all organisations – whether in the public or private sector  –  must operate with­in their respective jurisdictions.
In this case, the department cannot be blamed for “buck-passing” when the power to appoint teachers in elementary and secondary schools each year   belongs to the provincial education boards (PEB).
If a teacher is unhappy with the PEB’s decision, he/she may appeal to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) under the Teaching Service Act 1988.
The department can discipline teachers through standards officers, who are assigned to carry out inspections of schools and teachers to ensure that the quality and standard of education are maintained.
These officers have the mandate to charge or suspend teachers based on their performance and behaviour.
To be more specific, the TSC has authorised the regional directors and senior standard officers to discipline teachers in all schools in their respective regions, as per the manual “Disciplinary policy and procedures for members of the teaching service” (September 2009).
The Education Department and TSC are aware of appointment-related problems caused by the decisions of the PEB every year.
To address the situation, the TSC is formulating a standardised appointment policy and procedure manual.

Dr Musawe Sinebare
Secretary for Education
and Baran Sori
Acting TSC chairman