In this previous post, we explored some pros of being a teacher in Jamaica. Haven’t read it yet? It’s recommended that you do! Anyway, with that said, it is only fitting, that we also look at the cons of being a teacher in Jamaica. With a lot of spotlight on teacher migration, you’d think teachers foreign minded, when in fact, they truly want to help their country rise – but without the crippling cons of the profession.
So what are these cons you may ask?
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Cons of Being a Teacher in Jamaica #1: Student to Teacher Ratio
Notably, this is a major one, which spirals into other cons that we will address later. For now though, think about the average classroom size in Jamaica which has about 40+ students to one teacher. That’s a huge ask of teachers, considering they are expected to be vigilant of their rooms; provide individualized attention; mark 40+ scripts for at least four times per term, with a short timeframe so as to provide feedback (and that’s just one class, ask the high school teachers, they’ll tell you); all this, while taking into consideration 40+ differing personalities and backgrounds.
Certainly, this can be fun when you really have a handle on it, but the truth is, that’s not everyday and that’s not every class nor every teacher. Sooner than later, the burnout from this ratio begins to take its toll whether you try to go along seemingly fine, or whether the burnout starts showing up in other ways. And believe me, it usually does.
As much as teachers tend to love children, this many, in one sitting, with all the other obligations and expectations is a real struggle. It certainly is a con.
Cons of Being a Teacher in Jamaica #2: Unseen Workload
It is crucial to point out that many persons on the outside looking in, are unaware of the workload of being a teacher. It isn’t as simple as: teacher goes to class, marks register, teaches class, goes home. Nope. There is a WHOLE LOT MORE.
For starters, teachers are required to plan lessons. This takes the form of preparing an entire document for each class to be taught. Armed with their lesson plans, teachers are expected to deliver the content then evaluate it, to see if it is being received well by their students. Teacher must also create tables of specifications (documents showing what areas will be tested, objectives being represented, marks to be awarded etc.), set exam papers, alternative papers ( a student may be absent for legitimate reasons and need to sit the test), answer keys and alternate answer keys. These test papers do not staple themselves, nor do the ruled sheets to be written on, just magically find their way on the script.
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Additionally, those scripts need to be marked. Remember the teacher to student ratio we spoke about earlier? Yep, that comes into play now. Besides, teachers have deadlines to mark and upload these scores, all while maintaining their regular, daily teaching schedule. To meet these deadlines, plenty teachers take home work! The teaching day, is just not enough. Its either that, or you’ll put your feet down so to speak, leave work at work, and tell those stringent deadlines to get lost.
This doesn’t mean it’s impossible though. It is possible. Especially depending on your test structure, time management habits, health (because let’s face it, teachers do get sick too) and a big one, the subject you teach! How does that matter? Marking essays may vary significantly in respect of time as opposed to marking true or false questions.
To add (oh, we’re not done with the workload yet). Teachers have much more administrative tasks to complete. Grades need to be recorded. Some schools require teachers to do this in mark books, while others have software systems and some require both! Attendance registers need to be updated, especially for form teachers. Teachers also need to send and respond to emails from students, parent/guardians etc. attend meetings, plan parties, field trips, extra classes etc. Teachers are literally parents away from home!
Cons of Being a Teacher in Jamaica #3: Threat of Violence/Assaults
Unfortunately, some schools in Jamaica are hotbeds for threats against teachers. Sometimes by parents and other times these assaults are made by students! It is an uncomfortable feeling, to know that by virtue of disciplining students or enforcing rules (so long as it is lawfully done) you may become the victim of threats and even violence.
This makes for an unsafe working environment and many teachers dread having these altercations, especially if they were victims before or have seen first hand the negative impacts these experiences have on teachers.
Cons of Being a Teacher in Jamaica #4: Delayed Compensation
It is no secret to employers that employees are driven primarily by the desire to earn. With that understanding, it cannot then be business as usual when ‘pay day’ comes and there is no salary in the accounts of teachers.
A common misunderstanding, is that only new teachers face this predicament, where delayed compensation is concerned. True, plenty new teachers experience delayed compensation and are given excuses about their registration not being fully embedded in the ‘system’ yet. How ludicrous!
Similarly, teachers who guide students through their School Based Assessments (SBAs), ultimately scoring them and populating the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) website with the relevant data, experience delays as lengthy as one whole year before they are compensated for this task.
Additionally, even retro-active payments are delayed and oftentimes miscalculated. For teachers who should be confident in the timely renumerations for their work, these delays are huge turn offs. Not only that, but they are inconvenient. Teachers have plans and responsibilities and these delays cause a lot of setback each year.
Cons of Being a Teacher in Jamaica #5: Not Being Compensated for “Form Teacher Duties”
While some schools provide incentives and awards for teachers who are assigned roles as Form Teachers, this isn’t a representation of the whole.
Even so, the Ministry of Education which is the chief captain in charge, should consider these positions as ‘posts of special responsibilities’ and subsequently, posts fit for compensation.
Form Teachers are those teachers who are assigned specific classes, with which they are given great responsibilities for the year. Not only are these teachers to take attendance records in the morning and afternoon (which means their day pretty much starts earlier and ends later than teachers who are not form teachers) but they are also tasked with engaging in regular ‘after work hours’ meetings with parents/guardians.
In addition, form teachers are responsible for creating classroom cultures, addressing conflicts, planning activities and outings etc., all while maintaining a full schedule of classes that they teach otherwise.
How on earth is it reasonable to ignore so blatantly, the energy and time that goes into being a Form Teacher? So much so, that it remains an uncompensated role?
Cons of being a Teacher in Jamaica #6: “Middle Class” Illusion
It is a terrible mistake some locals have…thinking that teachers fall in the middle class. Teachers are not high income earners. As a matter of fact many struggle monthly to make ends meet and keep a side eye on the calendar pacing themselves for the next pay cycle.
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Not only is it a con that teachers do not earn high incomes, but in comparison to the work they do – that makes it even more disadvantageous. This illusion then, that teachers are often ‘well -off” is a smoke screen. To add to that, based off their income, they are not adequately able to afford even the country’s most “affordable houses.”
Ask the students “hands up, those of you who want to become teachers,” and you’d understand this even a little better. This “middle class” profession is unattractive to the students and they tell you blatantly that they want to “make money” and not have “too much stress.”
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Weighing the Cons of Being a teacher in Jamaica with the Pros
It all boils down to this, teaching can be a fulfilling career. The reality is often that there are plenty sacrifices on the part of the teachers as they soldier on to teach the ‘next generation.’
Many persons take up this torch in other countries, where it is presumable more tolerable, some leave the education sector completely and other stay.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure these cons don’t turn up in subtle ways in your new role. Life has a way of taking old cons and putting them into new contexts!
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