Khalaf Al-Harbi

Okaz

Equality does not always mean justice. First, second and third grade teachers in our primary schools feel that a grave injustice has been done to them after the Ministry of Education announced it will make them equal to their counterparts in middle and high schools when it comes to summer vacation.



The ministry decided that summer vacation should start on the same day for all schools. Since the ministry is often confused these days and is unsure whether it should rescind its decision or go ahead and implement it, I want to convey the complaints of primary school teachers to the relevant authorities.



One teacher I spoke to said the ministry always puts off taking action on teachers’ issues and complaints and often refers these issues to committees. The teacher said primary school teachers have no other incentive than the early start of their summer vacation. Since primary schools end their academic year well before other schools, their teachers start their summer vacation early.



The primary school teacher is the cornerstone of the education process. What he or she instills in the minds of young boys and girls remains with them for the rest of their lives. I see no reason for the difficulties primary school teachers face. Children should first be made to get used to the school environment. If some parents cannot stand teaching their sons and daughters for half an hour a day, can you imagine the condition of the teacher who has to spend long hours teaching dozens of young pupils every day?



Due to staff shortages, primary school teachers are often made to teach subjects which are not within their specialization. This is in addition to the high weekly quotas of classes they are required to teach.



Primary school teachers are appealing to the ministry to review its decision but will the ministry listen to their pleas?