Are teachers being placed under pressure to give extra classes during holidays?

Peter Flynt

Heard an interesting one today. . . It seems in one particular Dublin school a notice went on the Principals noticeboard recently callingon teachers to fill in times when they are prepared to come in and give extra classes during the mid term break.

Now we've all come in during Mid Term/Easter breaks to give extra classes with usually these classes arranged directly with the students themselves exclusive of management.

But I've never heard of teachers asked to fill in sheets on the Principals noticeboard.

Is this designed to "persuade" teachers - especially non-CID teachers - to sign up?

Are management putting pressure on teachers to give up yet more free time?

Powerhouse

I never heard of anything like this where it was a management initiative. I have come in during holidays in the past and by and large never found it very beneficial. Usually the students in most need of extra work didn't show up anyway. With the LC class I had last year I'd have been on my own had I come in over Easter or mid-term. The optics of doing so are great of course (if you choose not to interpret it as a teacher making up for lost time which should have been more effectively used in class) and there's always pressure to do it if others are doing so but this raises the bar. It wouldn't do much for goodwill I'd say.

teacherhead

You couldn't be up them!

acequion

I also have an issue with this.Firstly I would say that I wouldn't dream of setting foot in the school to teach a class during weekends or holidays and thankfully have not heard of it being done in my place.That is precisely the sort of thing that quickly gets taken for granted, and when one teacher starts it the others are automatically under pressure to follow suit. So if principals are now putting the pressure on,where did they get the idea from in the first place? Weekends and holidays are sacrosanct and it's up to each teacher to defend that right!

However what I have done is lunchtime tutoring for the orals but I have decided to stop. I remember the first time I did it, twenty years ago, the kids were so grateful they gave me a little gift and a card they'd all personally signed. I remember feeling hugely gratified to be so appreciated. The last time I did it was three years ago when I last had LC French. Sometime that January I was asked by a student in the class when I was going to start my "lunchtime classes" as Ms Bloggs, the other teacher had already started. Rest of class was spent by me giving them an enormous lecture on how they should not take stuff like that for granted, that they should appreciate teachers giving up their free time etc etc. In one ear and out the other, though I did give them the extra classes. While we might feel very virtuous and vocational giving loads of free tuition, the fact is that it's not appreciated and is taken advantage of like any other freebie.

In the present environment where teachers are ill appreciated and badly treated I would advise all teachers to work their hours and no more.

TheDriver

Never heard of it being something "management" promotes. In fact, I don't like I happening because it becomes a norm, it means kids are around the school during holiday times when maintenance etc takes place in the schools and it puts pressure on colleagues in the same department. The more time you give the kids, the more time they will take....
Having said that, I wouldn't tell a teacher they can't do it because its their choice at the end of it all......but I don't want a teacher having burnout, same way I don't want to have a teacher doing lots of s&s in any particular week.

evolving_doors

Could it be making up for snow day?
Is it just for exam classes or the whole school?
Was there any reason given?
Any consultation with the staff on what day or was a date just set!

gaeilgebeo

Peter Flynt wrote: »

Heard an interesting one today. . . It seems in one particular Dublin school a notice went on the Principals noticeboard recently calling on teachers to fill in times when they are prepared to come in and give extra classes during the mid term break.

ytareh

Id say language teachers in our place are under pressure to come in over Easter hols for orals prep.

whiteandlight

A lot of this seems to be coming from expectations of students/parents that it should be done. I was sick for two weeks recently, hospital, recovery etc. I arrived back still very much the worse for wear and three of my students immediately wanted to know if I would be running extra classes to "catch up" with them. I was certified and sent in work every single day I was out even from my hospital bed. There's no way I could have run extra classes these weeks as I'm still pretty fragile and I've no intention of ending up back sick.

I will say that I agree that one/more teachers doing it puts pressure on the other teachers in the department. I've been in a situation where a teacher ran extra class all year for 3rd years. I don't as they are not behind and there is only so much maths that students can take in on a weekly basis. I'm available in the evenings on edmodo to them and I help at maths club once a week, I don't see the need for extra classes in 3rd year.

I do bring in my music students if the practicals fall the week after Easter but that is due to timing and is not happening this year as they are in advance on Easter

jimbo28

Before Croke park/HR- A Teacher who is genuinely interested in providing extra tuition at no extra cost, giving free grinds essentially to students because they regard it as part of their job.

Post Croke park/HR-A Teacher who is an idiot.:(

whiteandlight

jimbo28 wrote: »

Before Croke park/HR- A Teacher who is genuinely interested in providing extra tuition at no extra cost, giving free grinds essentially to students because they regard it as part of their job.

Post Croke park/HR-A Teacher who is an idiot.:(

I think the shift was coming before croke park in fairness. I would argue that the shift is also to do with young teachers on part time contracts feeling that they "need" to offer extra tuition and gradually resenting it.

Please note, this is not a management bashing post and I am fully aware that the teachers themselves contributed to this expectation by doing the extra classes in the first place. However I don't think it is unfair to say that part time, low contact hour contract teachers are desperately trying to make themselves indispensable in a difficult environment.

jimbo28

You are probably right, but personally I did give plenty of extra time to my classes right up to last year...........I always have, however the time has come to stop working for free.This year i gave about 4-5 hours max to project work.Im part-time now by the way, and have never worked hours as low as the hours i am on now.If some jackass tells the school he will work all the hours under the sun for them.............well then he is welcome to my job;)

Peter Flynt

Non-CID teachers should make an agreement among themselves not to do this sort of stuff. . . One for all and all for one.

Management will soon realise there is a consequence to playing one teacher off another.

The time has come for the freebies to come to an end. . . No one has told anyone in JMB or the NAPD that though.

jimbo28

Peter Flynt wrote: »

Non-CID teachers should make an agreement among themselves not to do this sort of stuff. . . One for all and all for one.

Management will soon realise there is a consequence to playing one teacher off another.

The time has come for the freebies to come to an end. . . No one has told anyone in JMB or the NAPD that though.

You are dead right, the problem is that most young teachers are afraid of their sh!te of upsetting anyone......and its not just management who apply the pressure, its also those senior teachers who side with management.That said I have only experienced pressure from management on one occasion relating to this issue, and that was in one of the schools where i wasn't kept .I think i made it perfectly clear....crystal actually..... that I dont work for free when pushed :rolleyes:

TheDriver

I find its permanent or CID teachers who do the extra classes because they generally have the exam classes whereas new teachers don't have the exam classes just yet.

jimbo28

TheDriver wrote: »

I find its permanent or CID teachers who do the extra classes because they generally have the exam classes whereas new teachers don't have the exam classes just yet.

I dunno know about that! I Have had H.L LC classes since i started teaching 9 years ago.In most cases, I have had both my subjects at L.C.

evolving_doors

I think it's the same case with students who miss exams! Once you set a precedent of allowing it to be taken after the exam has passed then it can become an expectation to correct work over the holidays.. and inevitably you get the families who have gone to disneyland requesting all the exams to be corrected when they get back.....

In fairness though this isn't a management issue as it's always off the teachers own bat ( either resitting exams or running extra classes (as the OP has done himself)). So really using the term 'management' only relates to the school in the OP which seems to be second hand information without any other details,,,

The statement/question in the OP...

Peter Flynt wrote: »

[...]Are management putting pressure on teachers to give up yet more free time?

is a bit too general as there's only been second hand info of one school currently doing it.

There's definitely something we're missing from that picture as the implication is that the staff aren;t doing their job properly....are you sure it's not some make up/snow day thing OP?

Has anyone ever heard extra classes or resitting exams mentioned in Staff Meetings? It was said before at ours but done in such a way as to create solidarity on the issue (rather than name and shame ranting!) and it made us consult each other about certain students (and their freinds!) when requests were made.

vamos!

I wonder if it is a situation where maths, science and the languages (examples) are planned to be in and the school is trying to facilitate a system whereby they have some idea as to who is in the school and why and allow teachers see that maths are in Monday am, so languages should do another time. I suppose I only understand languages and have been in more than one over Easter holidays doing last minute oral practice. This has to be done one-on-one and I personally prefer giving a day of my holidays that lots of evenings and lunchtimes at a time of the year when I am tired. I don't resent it because it is personal choice though. I would never teach a class during holidays. I agree that there is an expectation for orals from students and that fewer and fewer are saying thank you which is irritating. I have always felt that there is an expectation for me to do orals outside of class but it's not because I am a temp, it's the subjects I happen to teach. Maths are dealing with a new course, Science use extra time when nobody else is in the lab. I can't imagine an English teacher needing to give extra classes over the holidays. Would it not be a sign that time was badly managed?

teacherhead

vamos! wrote: »

I wonder if it is a situation where maths, science and the languages (examples) are planned to be in and the school is trying to facilitate a system whereby they have some idea .....

no no definitely management up to no good

evolving_doors

vamos! wrote: »

I wonder if it is a situation where maths, science and the languages (examples) are planned to be in and the school is trying to facilitate a system whereby they have some idea as to who is in the school and why and allow teachers see that maths are in Monday am, so languages should do another time. I suppose I only understand languages and have been in more than one over Easter holidays doing last minute oral practice. This has to be done one-on-one and I personally prefer giving a day of my holidays that lots of evenings and lunchtimes at a time of the year when I am tired. I don't resent it because it is personal choice though. I would never teach a class during holidays. I agree that there is an expectation for orals from students and that fewer and fewer are saying thank you which is irritating. I have always felt that there is an expectation for me to do orals outside of class but it's not because I am a temp, it's the subjects I happen to teach. Maths are dealing with a new course, Science use extra time when nobody else is in the lab. I can't imagine an English teacher needing to give extra classes over the holidays. Would it not be a sign that time was badly managed?

I think that's just the problem Vamos... we don;t actually know the ins and outs of this case so we're just speculating....

Maybe the teachers took a day off last year and went to the Oktoberfest in Munich. The Principal was probably out at a meeting that day so never found out about it until now when a student posted photos leaked from a teachers facebook account! It's highly improbable but perfectly possible...

RealJohn

In fairness, when I read the OP I thought there was a possibility that it was just a matter of management trying to help coordinate the extra classes rather than to put pressure on teachers to take extra classes. I don't know the whole story though obviously.

For my own part, I give extra maths classes to my leaving certs every year. I've never been put under pressure by management to do so but students have asked me to. I have even been asked by fifth year students if I'd be doing the extra classes for them the following year and by other teachers' students who want to get some extra work in (which I have no problem with in general but I would always get the ok for my colleague(s) before accepting their students).

Like someone said, I think it's more likely the attitude of students and parents that is likely to stop me from doing the extra classes moreso than management. Every single one of the parents thanked me for the extra classes at the parent/teacher meeting this year and that means something to me. Last year, the students started acting like they were entitled to the classes, giving out to me if I was late (which was rare but did happen) and still only turned up when they felt like it so in the end I told them that I wasn't going to keep doing them and in fairness, they accepted that and nothing more was said.

I also end up having to take my third year science in after school to finish the projects because otherwise they just won't get them done before the deadline but that's a different issue.

acequion

To be honest I am rather uncomfortable about the culture of doing extra which many posters appear to accept as the norm.Many of the above posters are most likely young and in the early stages of their careers,in quest of CIDs,good exam results etc. All very understandable and the strong work ethic is commendable, but guys, you'll burn youselves out and whether you realise it or not,you are putting pressure on your collegues to follow suit! Which they may not want to do but will end up doing resentfully.

There should never be an expectation that a teacher provide free additional tuition,be it one to one coaching for orals,finishing projects to meet a deadline or extra classes in whatever subject. Nor should any teacher have to feel he /she needs to be available at lunch times or after school for whatever reason unless there's payment involved. Sorry but it really is that simple.

I've been teaching in Ireland for the past twenty years and taught abroad for six years before that. I do the standard 22 hours a week and a good additional 20-25 on top of that for prep,corrections and other school related business.That's not counting the 45 CP and P/T hours and thankfully I can opt out of S&S. I never had or wanted a post. From March-May in the run up to the exams I do a good 30 extra hours over the 22 in prep and corrections. I do a good job,get very good results and have an excellent rapport with my students. But then I'm in the game long enough and know my stuff. Considering my qualifications and experience I am now badly paid. So,therefore,I have decided not to do anything more than what is strictly necessary. Within my hours I help my pupils in every way I can and am as committed to them as any conscientious teacher,but during my working hours,no more.As I said earlier I used to do extra,but in a time where I felt appreciated and I didn't mind it.This year I have a LC French class and for the first time the oral will be prepared within class time,not during my lunch time.Our school does provide some extra supports for the orals,which is only right and proper.They wouldn't provide it if all the language teachers were prepared to give freebies in their own time.In fact in my school,most language teachers never were.

So, each to his own folks but I really do think it's high time teachers stopped this crazy mindset that they must do unpaid extra,a mindset not evident in any other profession and a mindset which makes teachers a bunch of unrespected doormats in the current climate.

Peter Flynt

acequion wrote: »

To be honest I am rather uncomfortable about the culture of doing extra which many posters appear to accept as the norm.Many of the above posters are most likely young and in the early stages of their careers,in quest of CIDs,good exam results etc. All very understandable and the strong work ethic is commendable, but guys, you'll burn youselves out and whether you realise it or not,you are putting pressure on your collegues to follow suit! Which they may not want to do but will end up doing resentfully.

There should never be an expectation that a teacher provide free additional tuition,be it one to one coaching for orals,finishing projects to meet a deadline or extra classes in whatever subject. Nor should any teacher have to feel he /she needs to be available at lunch times or after school for whatever reason unless there's payment involved. Sorry but it really is that simple.

I've been teaching in Ireland for the past twenty years and taught abroad for six years before that. I do the standard 22 hours a week and a good additional 20-25 on top of that for prep,corrections and other school related business.That's not counting the 45 CP and P/T hours and thankfully I can opt out of S&S. I never had or wanted a post. From March-May in the run up to the exams I do a good 30 extra hours over the 22 in prep and corrections. I do a good job,get very good results and have an excellent rapport with my students. But then I'm in the game long enough and know my stuff. Considering my qualifications and experience I am now badly paid. So,therefore,I have decided not to do anything more than what is strictly necessary. Within my hours I help my pupils in every way I can and am as committed to them as any conscientious teacher,but during my working hours,no more.As I said earlier I used to do extra,but in a time where I felt appreciated and I didn't mind it.This year I have a LC French class and for the first time the oral will be prepared within class time,not during my lunch time.Our school does provide some extra supports for the orals,which is only right and proper.They wouldn't provide it if all the language teachers were prepared to give freebies in their own time.In fact in my school,most language teachers never were.

So, each to his own folks but I really do think it's high time teachers stopped this crazy mindset that they must do unpaid extra,a mindset not evident in any other profession and a mindset which makes teachers a bunch of unrespected doormats in the current climate.

Totally agree with the sentiments in this post 100 %.

We've all done work - either extra curricular or tuition - for free. The attitude of the Government now appears to be along the lines of "Sure it doesn't matter how many hours we add on through Croke Park or Haddington Road. . . .They'll still work for free"

This attitude must CEASE immediately and, in my view, it is up to the unions to take a lead on this one. Of course they;ve fudged the issue and have decided not to get involved - they are nothing but fixers for the Government . . . loyal to ministers who cut our wages and make our T&C worse rather than to those who pay their wages.

It's also coming from the teacher training colleges. . . Young, vulnerable, inexperienced teachers are being advised to work for free if they get a job on graduation. This is putting severe pressure on teachers with non-CID teachers watching each other - especially within subject departments. It is damaging to the profession, to the morale of teachers and, in the end, to the students.

Irish teachers in post primary schools already work some of the longest classroom contact hours among OECD countries. Bear in mind also that the more the teacher does. . . the less some students do.

HRA21

Peter Flynt wrote: »

Totally agree with the sentiments in this post 100 %.

We've all done work - either extra curricular or tuition - for free. The attitude of the Government now appears to be along the lines of "Sure it doesn't matter how many hours we add on through Croke Park or Haddington Road. . . .They'll still work for free"

This attitude must CEASE immediately and, in my view, it is up to the unions to take a lead on this one. Of course they;ve fudged the issue and have decided not to get involved - they are nothing but fixers for the Government . . . loyal to ministers who cut our wages and make our T&C worse rather than to those who pay their wages.

It's also coming from the teacher training colleges. . . Young, vulnerable, inexperienced teachers are being advised to work for free if they get a job on graduation. This is putting severe pressure on teachers with non-CID teachers watching each other - especially within subject departments. It is damaging to the profession, to the morale of teachers and, in the end, to the students.

Irish teachers in post primary schools already work some of the longest classroom contact hours among OECD countries. Bear in mind also that the more the teacher does. . . the less some students do.

I agree totally with this post, whatever about students or anything else we need to protect teacher morale and the profession at all costs

Peter Flynt

HRA21 wrote: »

I agree totally with this post, whatever about students or anything else we need to protect teacher morale and the profession at all costs

The quality of a school is only as good as the quality of its teachers.

A demoralised, overworked & underpaid staff asked to work for free is of no use to anyone.

HRA21

Peter Flynt wrote: »

The quality of a school is only as good as the quality of its teachers.

A demoralised, overworked & underpaid staff asked to work for free is of no use to anyone.

Damn right especially when you consider what use a happy, underworked and work to rule would be.

Peter Flynt

HRA21 wrote: »

Damn right especially when you consider what use a happy, underworked and work to rule would be.

Well I was never underworked . . . especially when I was doing all that after school tuition for free. . . Not any more though - Not after a third pay cut in 4 years.

Shame for you that you're not very good at trolling.

Delphi91

Peter Flynt wrote: »

..It's also coming from the teacher training colleges. . . Young, vulnerable, inexperienced teachers are being advised to work for free if they get a job on graduation...

Is this hearsay or do you have specific proof?

Peter Flynt

Delphi91 wrote: »

Is this hearsay or do you have specific proof?

Have you a teaching qualification?

You must have missed the lecture that day.

Go and speak to any H.Dip students in your school.

May I also add that I had my own timetable of 15 hours (with no mentor) when I was doing my H.Dip. - I was paid for 5 hours (from memory). . . This was during the Bertie Boom Years.

Mardy Bum

Delphi91 wrote: »

Is this hearsay or do you have specific proof?

Job Bridge operates in a number of schools up and down the country.

TheDriver

Peter Flynt wrote: »

Have you a teaching qualification?

You must have missed the lecture that day.

Go and speak to any H.Dip students in your school.

May I also add that I had my own timetable of 15 hours (with no mentor) when I was doing my H.Dip. - I was paid for 5 hours (from memory). . . This was during the Bertie Boom Years.

I do speak to many HDips and have never heard that line you have stated or anything similar.

Peter Flynt

TheDriver wrote: »

I do speak to many HDips and have never heard that line you have stated or anything similar.

Well I have. When I did the Dip students were advised to state they would be prepared to do extra curricular activity (unpaid work) in an interview.

Still goes on . . . I doubt there's an interview which occurs out there which doesn't involve the question "What else can you do for the school?". . . In other words - What else are you prepared to do in addition to the job you're applying for? . . . unpaid of course.

As another poster has mentioned. . Some schools are advertising and using Job Bridge - Teachers for 50 euro a week.

Of course there's many a permanent teacher (in management) who has never heard of such carry on.

:rolleyes:

teacherhead

Peter Flynt wrote: »

Have you a teaching qualification?

You must have missed the lecture that day.

Go and speak to any H.Dip students in your school.

May I also add that I had my own timetable of 15 hours (with no mentor) when I was doing my H.Dip. - I was paid for 5 hours (from memory). . . This was during the Bertie Boom Years.

I did about the same on my TP but didn't get paid. It was always my understanding that dip students didn't get paid for their TP. Subbing is different however, never got any of that.

TheDriver

Its about 4 hours contact time a week for the complete year I thought?

Delphi91

Peter Flynt wrote: »

Have you a teaching qualification?

You must have missed the lecture that day.

Go and speak to any H.Dip students in your school.

May I also add that I had my own timetable of 15 hours (with no mentor) when I was doing my H.Dip. - I was paid for 5 hours (from memory). . . This was during the Bertie Boom Years.

I asked you a perfectly civil question because in posts you've made before on other threads, you have posted some over-generalised comments. All I was asking was for clarification. I find your reply very condecending and insulting.

For your information, and not that it is in the slightest bit related to my original question, yes I do have a teaching qualification. I have a BSc, a HDip, two post grad diplomas and an Msc. I never once missed a lecture and I was never once told to volunteer to do work for free. I can't remember exactly what my timetable was when I was doing the dip, but I didn't get paid for any of it. I was asked to cover some classes for a teacher who was away at one stage, did so, and was paid by the school for it.

I rarely ask HDips in my school to do extra classes, but if I ever have, they have ALWAYS been paid for it.

Peter Flynt

Delphi91 wrote: »

I asked you a perfectly civil question because in posts you've made before on other threads, you have posted some over-generalised comments. All I was asking was for clarification. I find your reply very condecending and insulting.

For your information, and not that it is in the slightest bit related to my original question, yes I do have a teaching qualification. I have a BSc, a HDip, two post grad diplomas and an Msc. I never once missed a lecture and I was never once told to volunteer to do work for free. I can't remember exactly what my timetable was when I was doing the dip, but I didn't get paid for any of it. I was asked to cover some classes for a teacher who was away at one stage, did so, and was paid by the school for it.

I rarely ask HDips in my school to do extra classes, but if I ever have, they have ALWAYS been paid for it.

I haven't posted any over-generalised comments.

Teachers in your school are not getting paid for carrying out extra curricular activity. . . Or maybe they are.

I'm entitled to my opinion based on my experiences and you are entitled to yours.

I'd like to think that I can give that opinion without a demand for "proof" on the basis that it doesn't conform to your prejudice.

The last time I was asked to provde "proof" on this forum [regarding schools receiving 1769 per opt out S&S teacher] . . . I just ignored the demand and waited for the circular to be published.

Delphi91

Peter Flynt wrote: »

I haven't posted any over-generalised comments.

I refer you to these pages: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056916017&page=54

I'm entitled to my opinion based on my experiences and you are entitled to yours.

I'd like to think that I can give that opinion without a demand for "proof" on the basis that it doesn't conform to your prejudice.

By all means give an opinion, but state that it is an opinion! Its when you come out with statements like "It's also coming from the teacher training colleges. . . Young, vulnerable, inexperienced teachers are being advised to work for free if they get a job on graduation." that I have the problem. Do you know that this happens in all teacher training colleges or just the ones that HDip students you've met are from? The implication of your statement is that it happens in all. If you had said "It appears that in some teacher training colleges.....etc" I'd have had no problem with it. If I ask a class of 20 students how many have a pet dog and 10 of them put their hand up, I can say that 50% of that class have a pet dog. It doesn't imply that 50% of all students have a pet dog.

teacherhead

TheDriver wrote: »

Its about 4 hours contact time a week for the complete year I thought?

i was on a block for 12 weeks or so so its prob the same as 4hrs over the year. There was a min and max at the time i cant remember the exact details but it certainly wasn't paid

Peter Flynt

Delphi91 wrote: »

I refer you to these pages: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056916017&page=54



By all means give an opinion, but state that it is an opinion! Its when you come out with statements like "It's also coming from the teacher training colleges. . . Young, vulnerable, inexperienced teachers are being advised to work for free if they get a job on graduation." that I have the problem. Do you know that this happens in all teacher training colleges or just the ones that HDip students you've met are from? The implication of your statement is that it happens in all. If you had said "It appears that in some teacher training colleges.....etc" I'd have had no problem with it. If I ask a class of 20 students how many have a pet dog and 10 of them put their hand up, I can say that 50% of that class have a pet dog. It doesn't imply that 50% of all students have a pet dog.

Perhaps you'd like to tell me if you've ever asked a candidate in an interview regarding their availability for unpaid extra curricular activity should they get the job.

Delphi91

Peter Flynt wrote: »

Perhaps you'd like to tell me if you've ever asked a candidate in an interview regarding their availability for unpaid extra curricular activity should they get the job.

I refer you to posts 798, 799 and 800 in the link I included in my previous post.

evolving_doors

Peter Flynt wrote: »

Perhaps you'd like to tell me if you've ever asked a candidate in an interview regarding their availability for unpaid extra curricular activity should they get the job.

This thread isn't about EXTRA CURRICULAR activity... its about being asked to give extra classes which is a CURRICULAR activity related to subject curriculum.

No teacher is ever asked to teach CURRICULAR classes for free in an interview...extra curricular maybe, this is par for the course...
curricular.. no. ..this is highly exceptional..as is the case posted in the first post.. of which we dont know any details as to why teachers are being called in.

The answer to the initial question is therefore easy.

Q..Are teachers being placed under pressure to give extra classes during holidays.

A. From other teachers postings here ALL teachers are not..
A. Most teachers do extra CURRICULAR classes off their own bat as has been evidenced in this thread...as we can see these teachers can, and have taken or given up this of their own chosing. No management pressure has been evidenced.
A. In one particular (alleged) case it would appear that the answer is Yes but it has to be qualified with the fact that we know nothing as to the reason it was called for.Therefore its speculation which gets nobody nowhere. Like the threads on "teacher is picking on my child" etc.

For this reason the thread is now dúnta...