butterfly__________

Sunday, January 14, 2007
10:32 PM

If I am a MOE key personnel, first thing I will do is to abolish the term " relief teacher". It connotes very negative, demeaning, condescending and agonising meaning.

To the students, it means that " I do not have to care about her." Or, " Jialat, my grades will be shit for the period that she's here." Or, " The school does not care about me."

To the * teachers, it means a lack of class, status and respect from the students, friends and colleagues. It does not mean that I am a * teacher and I am definitely in a lower rung than you.

To the parents, it means " Die. My children will suffer."

To the masses, it means " Haiya. Who don't know how to be teacher? Any shit person also can be one lah."

To the * teacher herself, " Sigh. I am just a substitute. I don't have to care so much."

But, I have though seriously about this problem.I have come up with a few coined terms. Tell me which one you like. Or is it just me who don't like the term relief teacher? Do you like it?

1. Teacher Intern
2. Teacher in training
3. Teacher associate

Or simply, teacher.
Of course, please do not think that schools or MOE are rubbish dumps for people who are incapable,do not think that MOE takes in anyone, just anyone, because, they DON'T. People do get rejected ok. And in fact, I did get chosen over 90 applicants for this so-called "relief teaching job."

Ok, enough ranting.
I think xx lacks depth.

butterfly___________