LOK ISSUES
LOK ISSUES

‘Post-Covid, A Teacher’s Work Has Increased Twice As Much’

Manisha Boriyal, a schoolteacher from Delhi, says educators stood out amid pandemic but instead of appreciation they have been loaded them with more work

It was around the month of January 2022 when the schools in Delhi-NCR started to re-open post the second Covid wave. The teachers were notified that the session 2022-23 will not be online teaching. This was a welcome reboot. However, what ensued was something that the teachers hadn’t imagined in their entire career. It was called Hybrid Mode Schooling.

It meant the parents were free to opt for online or offline classes. Teachers were tasked with handling both virtual as well as physical education. This meant preparing separate notes, handling separate queries and evaluating students’ work in online as well as offline modes. In short, it was the worst of both worlds.

Simple activities like taking attendance, holding discussions, hands-on learning activities and queries have been doubled as some students are attending offline and others online classes. For instance, offline students submitted their work in hard copy while online students uploaded their work. Handling this dual system makes a teacher’s job doubly difficult and extremely stressful.

We have to redo our lesson plans and classes, modifying teaching styles continuously to meet the requirements of students. We are essentially teaching two classes at one time – we have to write lessons that work for in-person instructions and then the ones that suit online learning.

Students present in the classroom are bubbling with energy, which was curtailed for almost two years, whereas children whose parents have still opted for online mode may feel that spark of personal interaction missing along with technical glitches. Hence, ensuring optimum utilisation of class time for constructive learning outcomes becomes a challenge.

ALSO READ: ‘To Avoid Closure, Schools Are Hiding Covid Figures’

During the pandemic, teachers got IT exposure which widened their learning horizons and gave a new dimension to teaching and learning. It helped teachers advance their skills in the curriculum implementation, policy, education systems, and leadership with the support of their institutions. However, it’s high time that the administration should give teachers a bit more importance as they are the ones who are working really hard in shaping the future of this country.

I see many teachers are feeling undervalued and belittled. During the pandemic there was hardly any school which talked about the medical insurance of their teachers, hospitalisation; if a teacher fell sick, the schools treated it as leave without pay. There never was a note of appreciation for the community which soldiered on with new education challenges during that time. On the contrary, they have been loaded with more work now.

High time that teachers association now talked about our work hours, additional wages for online teaching, medical insurance, leave policy etc.

As much as I love my students, I’m not going to kill myself over this. I don’t mean death by infection; I mean they’re working me to death. Frankly, I would rather work at a café than a classroom, because at some point I could wrap my work and call it a day.

As told to Deepti Sharma

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Shobha Day
Shobha Day
2 years ago

Wow. I can relate with each and every word written in the article. Teachers were the unsung heroes during the pandemic.

Iti
Iti
2 years ago

Indeed , Teachers play a major role and covid has really affected their timings, maintaining work life balance is typical.

Ruchi Singh
Ruchi Singh
2 years ago

So sad to hear about the situation 😔

Saudamini mishra
Saudamini mishra
2 years ago

Very true

Adhish
Adhish
2 years ago

Eye-opening story

Reena
Reena
2 years ago

I totally agree with the above , the challenges of teaching online have stretched educators to their limits.

After nearly two years of either putting themselves at risk in a classroom or struggling to reach students remotely, many now say they may change careers or simply quit.

Tripti
Tripti
2 years ago

I agree it might seems it’s easy to work from home but a profession like teaching can’t be easy to manage from home

Megha Dwivedi
Megha Dwivedi
2 years ago

Well Said ! can totally relate to it.

Nisha
Nisha
2 years ago

Yes each and every word is true.

Sarita
Sarita
2 years ago

This is so true! How brilliantly you thrown light on the plight of teachers!

Sarita Dimri
Sarita Dimri
2 years ago

This is absolutely true! How beautifully you have put forward the plight of teachers!

Krishan Kumar
Krishan Kumar
2 years ago

During last 2 years & especially vividh time no doubt our education warrior’s I.e. our teachers play a significant role and avoid to any loss to our new generation children. They work hard on 2 corners online as well off line and it is very painful to express here that school management released them half salary instead of double one. On the other had no medical policy or protection provided to them by any authority. But they continue their sincere services to their students. No doubt at this scenario their peaceful services given to their students are praiseworthy.

Tuhina Singh
Tuhina Singh
2 years ago

Excellent write up…..with all the emotions a teacher is going through…….

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