Teachers say categorising them into outstanding, very good, good, and needing improvement for assessing their individual work plan or IWP should be done away with. The teachers’ recommendation comes following the Prime Minister’s directive to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to review the Individual Work Plan of the teachers and submit alternative proposals to the Government by the 1st of March.
The IWP serves as a performance evaluation tool aimed at strengthening individual accountability and aligning individuals’ efforts with the goals of their organisations.
Like other civil servants, teachers are moderated based on the IWP.
Requesting anonymity fearing repercussions, teachers are suggesting recommendations to concerned authorities to aid the review process.
“I feel that teachers are not happy with the moderation exercise where the categorisation of the teachers takes place, especially concerning need improvement. When it comes to need improvement, teachers feel that this comes because of the school categorisation. Secondly, the modalities of evaluating the teachers is another factor that the teachers are not happy about. Finally, we would appreciate a strong mentoring and coaching session amongst the leaders and the teachers, so that no teachers fall under the need for improvement,” said a teacher.
“In IWP, there is lesson observation in a year to assess us. The 50-minute lesson observation is used to determine a teacher’s capabilities. Hence, I want to ask if it is essential to have this. I feel this needs to change,” said another teacher.
“We as teachers give our 100 per cent as long as we are coming to school and we have our contribution. But then that categorisation that comes at the end, I feel that it is stigmatizing the teachers and also creates some kind of disharmony in the school and working system. It also demotivates the teachers,” said a teacher.
It is a big challenge when it comes to moderation. In schools during the IWP rating, we are categorised as outstanding, very good, good, and need improvement. This causes disharmony among the teachers. It will be beneficial if there is no moderation and I feel teachers leaving the system will also reduce if it is discontinued,” said Pema Chezang, a teacher.
Meanwhile, BBS learnt that the education and skills development ministry is consulting teachers through the IWP review process.
Officials from the ministry said that work is still in progress and details will be shared at the end of the month.
The RCSC implemented performance moderation for teachers, similar to civil servants, in 2017.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Sherub Dorji
