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We live in an age where there are more and more demands on teachers. A student submits an essay at 5pm and expects feedback by 8pm. A parent has a concern and expects an answer within the hour, even in the late evening.
I am sorry that Australia’s independent schools appear to have argued, in a submission to the Fair Work Commission, against teachers’ right to disconnect from work after-hours.
There’s a lot more to teaching than face-to-face time with students.Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
As the principal of SCEGGS Darlinghurst for almost 30 years, I believe it is vital that we encourage teachers – and all other staff in schools – to have time for themselves and their families away from work, and that we make it clear to parents and students that teachers are not available to them 24/7.
The submission from the independent schools argues, correctly, that there are times when teachers need to be on duty or contactable. Some of these are known and scheduled activities: boarding school staff on duty; teachers on school camps and overnight excursions; adults supervising or coaching co-curricular activities offered in our schools. And then there are, on occasion, emergencies such as accidents and deaths when every teacher would want to help to support their community in any way they could.
But in their normal working week, teachers should be able to turn off and enjoy family and other leisure time.
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Teachers have a demanding role during school hours, then must devote significant time to preparation and marking requirements beyond those hours. It’s not easy to effectively manage a class of teenagers or young children, to help them be their best selves, to learn and grow. Teachers are counsellors, confidants, specialists in their own disciplines, motivators, peacemakers. They help young people perform in examinations, as well as be good human beings who understand right and wrong, have a strong moral compass, and have the skills to participate meaningfully in society.
But teachers are also people with hobbies and interests, with families to care for, and they need time away from work for themselves, to recharge the batteries, to regain the equanimity to do it all again tomorrow.
We should respect teachers as people with families and interests and commitments. They should not be on call whenever somebody feels that their query, their worry, their uncertainty should be addressed immediately.