Oct 29 - Gibraltar Teachers Association Makes Publishes Its Election Wish List
The Gibraltar Teachers Association (GTA/NASUWT) would like to make public its wish list for the elected Government’s next term in office.
A spokesman for the Gibraltar Teachers Association said: "There are many ways in which the relationship between the GTA/NASUWT and the Government has improved in recent years, such as the Social Partnership Agreement signed on 1st May 2015, which has allowed for a framework of cooperation and effective communication to develop like never before.
"However, there is still much work to be done. Leaving aside issues of infrastructure, which the Government has clearly committed itself to resolving e.g. the newly built St. Bernard’s Infant and Middle schools, the recently announced upgrade for Bayside Comprehensive School, the projected new schools to replace Governor’s Meadow, Bishop Fitzgerald, Notre Dame and St. Martins schools.
"We are confident that both political parties competing to become our next Government will take these matters seriously and will ask to meet the GTA/NASUWT so that we may expand on some of the issues raised herein, as well as others that are bound to surface from now until the next general election. The GTA/NASUWT hopes that the next 4 years of Government will put education high on the list of priorities. Investing heavily in education is the best future Gibraltar can hope to build for itself."
The Association highlights other pressing issues that concern the GTA/NASUWT and its membership:
ORGANISATIONAL REVIEW
There is a need for an organisational review in education. Changes need to be made within the profession to improve job satisfaction and the level of service given to students and parents. Teachers, responsibility post holders, and at times senior managers have all reported feelings of frustration at the vague job roles, unrealistic expectations, and unfair demands placed upon them. We would like for the job roles of everyone in education to be clearly defined by clear job descriptions that set limits to what people are expected to do. The GTA/NASUWT also feels that education at large would benefit if there was more investment in the Department of Education to generate much needed policies and release the Education Advisers from bureaucratic processes that limit their efforts to improve the system.
TEACHING AND LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY (TLR) REVIEW
There is a need for a TLR review. The TLRs were introduced more than 10 years ago as a framework for leadership and management posts and promotions, with a firm commitment from all signatories to the system to review it after a period of three years. To date, this has not taken place even after numerous requests from the GTA/NASUWT. The GTA/NASUWT feels that this system is no longer fit for purpose, with a clear disparity in the weighting of posts, and a pronounced inequality in salaries within, and across the education sectors for performing similar roles. There are TLR posts that have become largely administrative roles, which could be performed by clerical and administrative staff, putting the teacher back into the classroom. We urge the Government to enter into a process of negotiation with the GTA/NASUWT to resolve this pressing issue.
TEACHERS’ PAY REVIEW
The GTA/NASUWT requests for the Government to carry out a pay review for teachers in order to harmonise the basic salary of teachers with other graduate salaries within the public sector. The majority of teachers work beyond their contractual hours, giving up a lot of their free time exclusively for the benefit of their students and the community. Apart from the heavy workload and demanding pace of teaching, much work takes place after school hours and during term breaks i.e. marking, generating resources and/or planning events such as Sports Days. Much of this work is neither visible nor remunerated, and we ask for it to be officially recognised.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The GTA/NASUWT would like more consultation with teachers on key issues, such as an effective and sustainable education road map for the next 20 years. There is currently a new National Curriculum being introduced in the UK, as well as new GCSE and A Level qualifications. We need more communication between Government and the people in the front lines, the teachers, in order to find a model that best meets the needs of our children for the future.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
It is imperative for the Government to make a larger effort in investing in vocational training for students who are not academic, and for whom the system is currently failing. Vocational training needs to be given a serious injection of cash and infrastructure to provide a meaningful and sustainable avenue of employment to individuals who wish to have a trade. The GTA/NASUWT believes that in order for our economy to flourish further, we need a balance between academic and vocational training within our education system, resulting in highly qualified individuals in all sectors of employment. The GTA/NASUWT would like to see all training repatriated to the Department of Education, as well as re-establishing the post of Training Officer.
CLAIMS
The GTA/NASUWT would like the Government to introduce a more efficient mechanism, with set timescales for resolving claims. At the moment, there are claims that date back to 2009. This is not acceptable. We would like these claims to be given the priority they deserve and for the relevant Government departments to work with us much more vigorously to resolve them promptly.
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
We urge the Government to address the current system of recruitment and selection, and replace it with a more transparent system where internal reporting and interviews can leave no doubt that the best candidate got the job. Schools need appropriate succession planning for Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers to reduce disruption and uncertainty. The GTA/NASUWT feels that it is paramount to introduce a system for induction and a modernised programme of continued professional development for all post holders, including Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers, for them to be aware of departmental procedures, legislation, etc, necessary to perform their role efficiently as soon as possible after being appointed.
EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
The GTA/NASUWT notes that the Government has undertaken a commitment to build new schools and to extensively renovate others. We urge the Government to extend this commitment to all schools. The necessary works and modifications to school buildings needs to be a priority in order to improve teaching and learning conditions in what can sometimes be very hot classrooms in summer, very cold classrooms in winter, and noisy/dusty environments depending on where in town the school is situated. The technological capability of schools also needs to be reviewed and upgraded to meet the demands of teachers and students. The GTA/NASUWT would also like to stress the mounting concern from teachers about the levels of disruption that current infrastructural improvements are causing. Disruption to teaching and learning needs to be kept to a minimum at all times, and we urge the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure this is implemented in the newly proposed works at different schools. The reality is that even when works take place after school hours they still tend to have an impact on teaching and learning, as sometimes areas in the school have to be cordoned off or there is scaffolding, building materials, etc. This is not ideal, but we understand that sometimes there is no way to avoid it. However, when possible we would urge the Government to agree with contractors an intensive works programme during the summer school recess so that individual schools are brought up to speed with minimal disruption to teaching and learning.
EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Following our mandate to explore the possibilities and benefits for the teaching profession to become an Authority, the GTA/NASUWT would like to enter into talks with Government to this end.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The GTA/NASUWT demands that the Government take a much more serious approach to the implementation of a health and safety policy in all schools. This would include regular inspections to ensure all schools are compliant with this policy. We would also like to see the creation of a Health and Safety Officer for the Department of Education.
LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANTS (LSAs)
The GTA/NASUWT would like to see the Department of Education undertake an assessment of needs with regards to the provision of Special Education Needs (SEN) in our schools. There is currently an upwards trend in the number of children with specific learning difficulties. There has also been an increase in the amount of supply LSAs employed to deal with this need. However, the substantive LSA posts have remained virtually static. The GTA/NASUWT would not like to see this situation mimic that of the highly unfair ‘permanent supply teachers’ situation, an issue which was resolved after the last election. If there is a need to employ more permanent LSAs the Government needs to do this and not keep workers endlessly in a supply pool.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
It is vital that together with raising the standards of education, the Government commits itself to provide a school based counseling service. This service would benefit all students as it would be available for students with or without behavioral and mental health issues. Having an onsite counselor allows for issues that arise that need specialist expert attention to be resolved appropriately, avoiding any unnecessary escalation. This service helps to promote mental wellbeing, improve the classroom environment and enhances the teaching and learning experience.
TECHNOLOGY
The GTA/NASUWT would like for the Government to make a much bigger investment and regular upgrading of IT provision and equipment, as well as making provision for a dedicated team to manage IT effectively and efficiently in all schools. The use of IT by both teachers and students is beneficial for the teaching and learning experience, as well as much environmentally friendlier in the long run. A healthy balance between traditional forms of teaching and learning and use of technology is necessary to provide a variety of strategies for students to thrive throughout their years in education.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
The GTA would like parliament to consider constitutional reform in respect of the PSC and substitute it by an Independent Regulatory Body. This would free the current body from its colonial shackles and lack of transparency as well as speeding up all the processes that the PSC currently manages. It is necessary for Gibraltar to finally have a mature, accountable and truly independent ‘home grown’ institution handling issues such as appointments and grievances.
SUPPLY TEACHERS
Finally, the GTA/NASUWT requests a sustainable pool of supply workers, or floating teachers, to be put in place to act as short-term or long-term replacements for teachers who get sick, are on maternity or paternity leave, etc. This would go some way in reducing the feelings of teacher burnout, as well as ensuring that disruption to teaching and learning is kept to a minimum.
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