It's a common gripe of teachers. Too much admin work. Yes, i know it is necessary. students need these "outdoor lessons" to learn better, and parents need to be informed of such activities. money is needed for such activities, so cash must be collected, and forms need to be filled up so that we know that they know.
but frankly, if you categorize it, it doesn't fall under "teaching" (which, i think, is what teachers do) . It sounds a lot like EAS work. But you see, because of the sheer volume, the EAS staff cannot handle the load of it all. (funny hor, actually that is what they are paid to do leh. can just say "cannot cope" and push it to teaching staff ah? cannot cope, then improve on the system la!)
But since our bosses list admin work as part of our job scope, then fair enough. no one forced me to be a teacher. so when i choose to be a teacher, i know i have to get these done.
Oh wait... just had a thought. Maybe by collecting forms, we ARE teaching our students. "See, that's how we arrange things in order, according to INDEX NUMBER. See boys? Fascinating isn't it?"
Ok Ok... i know they are necessary, it's just that... when everything piles together, and we have to cope with admin and managing and cca and students' parents and being a parent-friend-teacher-counsellor-disciplinarian to our students, it IS a HUGE pile. Plus, because there's no "ADMIN PERIOD", all these form-collection/ money collection etc has to be done in-between periods. Way-lay them as they are walking to the next class, or sneak a few forms to some students during morning assembly, forgo lunch and make students late for lunch by hijacking them as the bell rings....
Anyway, as i was saying, i know they need to be done, i know it's my job to do them, but it's frustrating how much time admin work takes up, when the time would have been spent more fruitfully on lesson preparation, chatting with students, remedial lessons, brainstorming and improving things...
Really. Isn't there a better way to do all these? Isn't there a more efficient way to deal with these necessary evils?
Gosh. The LJ and Camp are compulsory anyway... why must we "ask" the parents for authorisation to deduct money from the Edusave Funds? If there's money inside, and the students HAVE to attend the courses, just deduct directly la! Which parent would rather pay cash than use the money the government gives?
When Singaporeans leave the country, doesn't the immigration department scan their passports? Don't they know which countries we go to? Why must they invent this useless thing called a Travel Declaration Form? If SARs or Avian Flu strikes us then GET THE IMMIGRATION DEPT TO PROVIDE US WITH THE INFO LAH! It should be readily available wat! Just filter visitors to affected countries, then inform the school la!
Meanwhile, while it is not necessary, no need to kill trees and waste man-hours compiling info which is usually not used, and worse, could easily be assessed by another govt department anyway.
Really. Just tie up the Info system structure, and for once, use IT to make life easier. But noooooo.... with all the money pumped into IT, "they" decide to create MORE platforms, where we have to re-enter the same data all over again, in all the various applications. Surely they can see how dumb this all is??? Why all the double work when it's suppose to help us process info more efficiently???????
And, this thing about consent form... it's compulsory activity RIGHT? if they do not consent, they'd have to give us a letter of excuse RIGHT? then just send out a letter, or better still put it on PTS so the onus is on parents to check what activity their sons have! What? Not all parents have access to internet you say? AH HA! then why make us re-key in test dates and results into PTS??? Not all parents are able to check their sons' test dates and results online also RIGHT?
Bleddy civil service. the difference in productivity between private sector and govt depts is REAL i tell you.
And the students? some of them simply CANNOT take a form home, get it signed, and hand it up. Why is that difficult? But ask for a form back, and you get a blank stare... "huh? what's that? i dun have" then they'd rummage through their bags and find it, and present it with a pleased look. And then you'd discover that it's the same form, still unsigned, but crumpled, muddy and torn. "Please get it signed tonight. Make sure you pass it to me tomorrow!" I'd say hopefully. At least we're a step closer right? At least now he knows what form i'm talking about right? But nooooooo..... the story repeats.
And the teachers? This simple work of collecting forms and money... Isn't it supposed to be a straight-forward piece of chore? Ahhh, but this lousy teacher, with a degree, a post-grad dip, trained in Accountancy CAN'T GET IT DONE AFTER 2 WEEKS!!!!
And here she is ranting and raving in her stoopid BLOG, instead of re-designing the administrative system, improving things, or telling the Minister of Education to do something about this.
See! I told you! Lousy stupid civil servants....
Disclaimer:
All reference to "Civil servants" refer only to me, Mrs Faith Wong-Yeo.
I'm sure all other civil servants are productive, bright, fruitful, efficient folks, happily doing their duties. Administrative duties don't faze them at all.
I will learn to be like them.
And i will stop ranting.
And i will invisiblize this post once i get over it (ie once my darling 3e5 gives me all the all-important forms.)
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