Are teachers doing the job right?

I WAS in my Chimbu village in early January 2018 and was told this story of good teacher presence in a primary school at home.
Teacher absenteeism and poor performances have impacted on students, apart from other factors, in their quest for knowledge and skills right around PNG.
Many teachers in remote schools do not give a full 10 days of classes from 7.45am to 4.06pm in a fortnight.
Productivity level of teachers has dropped.
This has directly affected students’ learning and participation in other extracurricular activities as well.
I asked a local school inspector in Chimbu one morning about the performance and attendance of teachers at the school he is responsible for. He said: “200 per cent.”
This was amazing news compared to previous years when such was unheard of.
This is due to the simple fact that an inspector was physically present on the school grounds.
I suggest that provincial education boards and the National Department of Education station a local inspector in a school.
He or she will inspect, advise and mentor teachers in the school and others in the neighbourhood.
He or she is the manager of three or four schools there.
Problem teachers will be reported to provincial authorities and eventually to Waigani.
They can be dealt with by whatever means that are necessary and applicable.
Education authorities must identify senior and experienced teachers and have them trained as inspectors to be posted to their local school(s).
I am happy Simbu education board has taken this approach and it is paying off.
We need more of such and not sticking to the conventional method of teacher inspection and supervision.
This strategy is really working.

Martin Mintai Waure
Kereyal
Waigani