Undertaking a task that one is ill-prepared for can be daunting and downright frustrating, to say the least. Amidst the COVID -19 pandemic, those charged with the responsibilities of molding and guiding the nation’s children have had to grapple with technology that they are not quite familiar with.
Despite the many challenges faced during this lockdown, including no formal training regarding the use of technology in the classroom, to lack of proper devices, teachers have certainly seized the bull by the horn and have continued to impart knowledge.
While their efforts may not be recognized and appreciated by most, the president of the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT), Mervin Alexander, has lauded the efforts that teachers have made in ensuring that each child succeeds and that no one is left behind.
“We met last week and had some discussions. Basically, looking at the situation as it is in relation to our teachers and hearing their concerns and what is the way forward for the future.
“For me, I would say that the teachers did their very best seeing that this is a new modality for them and they are not sufficiently trained in doing it. So the little knowledge that they had, I think that they did their very best,” Alexander said as he heaped praises on the teachers.
Alexander is now retired, after spending well over three decades in the classroom, is of the view that continued training is essential.
“Well for sure, we can see the need for training in that sort of teaching style. We did one last year where we had a course for teachers in that line and definitely that is going to be continued with the Ministry of Education, of course,” he further stated.
Meanwhile, several teachers across the island have voiced their concerns with the new demands placed on them to deliver the curriculum. Many feel overburdened and totally caught off guard.
One teacher who does not wish to be named, for fear of victimization, shared her views on the current situation.
“To be quite honest, I feel very overwhelmed. That sort of teaching modality took me by surprise. I was not prepared. I am doing the best that I can, given the situation, but it is not something that I envy,” she explained.
Another teacher surmised that the lack of training did not help the situation and forced people to become computer savvy.
“Many teachers who are using the Google Classroom learned the stuff by trial and error. No formal training was given to teachers like me. I had to research and do things on my own.
“There are teachers who have a few months left in the system. These teachers cannot handle that stress. They are almost retired. Now in this situation, the children suffer since they are, in most cases not doing anything. So in a situation like that, the system has failed the students,” she lamented.