The old saying goes: talk about it good or talk about it bad, but talk about it! The world of education is going through difficult times these days. It is obvious. Unfortunately, a teacher, probably out of breath, rudely attacked her first-grade students. Unacceptable! It’s time to have an honest conversation about education.
This situation unfortunately highlights a stark reality; or that of the silent suffering of a significant number of teachers too long left to themselves with the increase in students with special needs, not to mention a questionable valuation of their profession.
Humbly, I have the deep conviction that our decision makers in the world of education are placing too much responsibility on the shoulders of teachers. The education system is simply no longer, or very little, able to support students in difficulty.
The causes are multiple; shortage of qualified teachers, shortage of remedial teachers, shortage of psychologists, less and less specialized classes, etc. The list is growing longer, which testifies to a real slaughter in the world of education.
This sad reality should alarm our decision-makers of all stripes. We have to admit that crisis management seems to be the most used by our decision-makers. However, prevention would bring hope to all those who believe in education.
We need to send a clear message of support to our teachers about the help they deserve! With all the challenges created by the increase in students with special needs, behavioral problems and the pressure to make all our students succeed, it should come as no surprise to see our teachers leaving the ship before they have even finished their first five years in teaching.
Yet, shouldn’t education be the bedrock of a self-respecting society? Let’s act, because our future generations certainly deserve better!