Hiring and dismissing teachers as an unexploited opportunity

High expectations are put on teachers. They should be motivated and qualified professionals, and able to recognise learners' talents. They should master a wide variety of techniques, and can choose the optimal learning method for every learner, in cooperation with other experts in this field. They can acquire such knowledge and skills in higher education training, in further education, or through self-education and reflection on their own work. However, when teachers choose not to develop themselves, school management can use at least two measures to increase the quality of teaching. These tools are; hiring high quality teachers, and dismissing those showing a low quality of work. However, the Learning Makes Sense qualitative data analysis indicates that school managements use the potential of these tools to only a very limited degree. Usually, they select teachers only after a job interview where they cannot fully assess the personal and professional qualities of applicants. And in case the school management uncovers teaching of a very low quality at their school, they usually refrain from dismissing a particular teacher for this reason.

Analysis of the qualitative and quantitative Learning Makes Sense data is examined in more detail in the following sections:

Selection of new teachers

A three-stage selection procedure vs hiring without a job interview

Read more (available only in Slovak).

Dismissing teachers with a low quality of work

In practice, dismissing teachers with a low quality of teaching is very scarce

Read more (available only in Slovak).

Conclusions

Personal and professional expectations put on teachers in pre-primary to secondary education are high. They should know and actively use a wide variety of teaching methods and customise them for individual learners and their needs. Also, they should be motivated and continuously seeking to develop their knowledge and teaching skills. However, when teachers are not interested in meeting these expectations, they contribute to a reduction in the quality of education in Slovakia. The Learning Makes Sense qualitative data indicates that school managements do not tend to use their opportunities to prevent such teachers from teaching at local schools. Often, it is not a matter of school principals’ own choice, but other factors related to the education system management which contribute to it. If we give up on having high quality teachers, we give up on the holistic development of learners and preparing them to succeed in their life.

Author:

Jozef Miškolci