evaluation training — evaluation training — Poed, the primary school teachers’ union, has called on its members to boycott training and information meetings about the new teacher evaluation framework organised by the education ministry. This decision comes in light of concerns regarding inadequate consultation and significant organisational shortcomings.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Poed articulated its strong dissatisfaction with the ministry’s approach to implementing the recently passed legislation on teacher evaluation. The union highlights that the meetings were arranged without prior dialogue with Poed, which they believe places undue pressure on public schools that are already grappling with staffing shortages.
The timing of these training sessions has raised alarms among educators. Many schools are reportedly functioning with insufficient replacement teachers, making attendance at these meetings particularly challenging. The absence of teachers during these sessions, as Poed points out, further disrupts the daily operations of schools that are already under strain.
Moreover, Poed has criticised the planning of these meetings, noting that the number of sessions and available places does not adequately cater to the approximately 8,000 teachers affected by the new legislation. This disparity raises concerns about whether all teachers will have access to the same quality and effectiveness of information regarding the new evaluation framework.
In light of these issues, Poed has requested an immediate meeting with the education ministry to address these concerns and work towards improving planning and management processes surrounding the training. Until an official response is received from the ministry, the union has advised its members not to participate in any training sessions, indicating that further announcements will follow should there be developments on this front.
The education ministry, on the other hand, maintains that the implementation of the new evaluation system is proceeding as intended. Officials assert that the training activities are part of a gradual transition designed to support teachers throughout the introduction of the new framework.
This ongoing dispute is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of months of tension between the education ministry and teachers’ unions. Poed has consistently stated its support for the principle of evaluation reform; however, the union opposes the current implementation, arguing that it has been advanced without meaningful dialogue and consultation with stakeholders.
