Jersey is “years ahead”

Tuesday 01 September 2015

Moves to stop teachers answering emails or marking after 5 pm aren’t likely to be followed up here, because unions say the Island is already “years ahead” of the UK in managing teachers’ workload.

UK Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has proposed that teachers should not be expected to answer emails or spend time marking after 5 pm each day, in an attempt to ease the growing levels of bureaucracy for teachers so they can do “what they feel passionate about.”

But here in Jersey, NASUWT negotiating secretary Marina Mauger, says that the profession is getting the support it needs thanks to the Education Partnership between the NASUWT and the States.

“It is a major step in the right direction,” said Mrs Mauger.

And she says that’s making a difference to both recruiting and keeping teachers in the classroom.

“Last year we [NASUWT] carried out a work-load survey; it found that on average Jersey’s teachers are working 60-70 hours a week,” Mrs Mauger said.

“Obviously it is important that teachers aren’t working beyond what they should be, or to a level that has a detrimental effect, but I think the view here in Jersey is that we are doing the right things.

“Planning and marking are integral parts of teaching… it’s about managing time effectively and ensuring that there is correct support in place.

“Part of the partnership, which was signed in September last year, focuses on workload and looks at what support is needed in that area in order to look after those in education.“We are truly ahead of the game here in Jersey… we seem to be far more focused on the problem here then elsewhere.”

Mrs Mauger’s comments come in the midst of a growing debate in the UK about whether teachers’ workloads are too great and amid growing discontent within teachers' unions who argue that a growing workload is partly to blame for putting people off the profession.

Questions surrounding teachers’ workloads and hours arose after the UK minister said teachers were spending too much time marking or writing up lessons plans instead of focusing on teaching.