Teachers need their freedom

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As educators in Jamaica, we are compelled to express our deep concern regarding the increasing demands placed on us, which are encroaching on our personal time and infringing on our rights as individuals. While we are passionate about providing quality education to our students, we cannot ignore the strain that current expectations are placing on our personal and family lives.

The reality is that our work no longer ends at when the school day finishes. We are expected to spend countless hours after school planning lessons, creating charts, and grading assignments, all of which could be considered extracurricular tasks. This burden is not only exhausting but also unfair, as it steals precious time that could be spent with our families and on personal development.

We believe that it is essential for teachers to have the freedom to manage their workload efficiently during school hours. This would enable us to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which is crucial for our well-being and ultimately benefits our students.

We urge the minister of education, Dana Morris Dixon, and other officials of the Ministry of Education to review the current workload expectations and provide support for teachers. This could include providing additional resources, reducing administrative tasks, or implementing more efficient planning tools.

Teachers are not machines; we are professionals who deserve respect and autonomy in our work. We are willing to work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit both educators and students.

We implore the ministry to take immediate action to address this pressing issue and restore the dignity and freedom that teachers deserve.

AN EDUCATOR