?ICT TEACHERS DOING A GREAT JOB?

Since 1991 the concept of introducing ICT has been discussed among the various ministers of Education and thanks to the former minister the actual step has been taken to put into action what has been discussed all these years. It has been found that it is a neccessity to introduce ICT at primary level since, in the near future, our only resources would be the human factor. Concerning these so-called caring parents (BP247, l?express, 5th December), I would like to point out the following issues :

Firstly, ICT teachers were recruited on the basis that they were already computer literate, therefore only a training of eight months were covered which included child psychology, languages, mathematics, creative arts and other aspects of class management. Following which assessment and portfolio were given to the prospective teachers. Only those teachers who succeeded in their training were offered jobs as ICT teachers. So it is quite irrational to say that the ICT teachers are ?unqualified, without any training and without child psychology?.

Secondly I do agree that we are not fine psychologists but I would like to ask anybody if being well versed in child psychology means that all teachers should be able to cope with all kind of children, whether they are slow learners, fast learners or even having mild mental disorders. We just do the best we can to make the children happy during ICT classes especially with no resources : no appropriate syllabus, no teachers? guide and most important no computers in many schools. So I would like to ask these parents not to generalise. Most ICT teachers, just like any other teacher, are doing a great job in promoting cognitive skills, that is learning to read and write with the use of computers. We have even noted that absenteeism has been greatly reduced when the pupils have their ICT classes.

And lastly, I would like to point out that we, ICT teachers, are granted the same number of casual and sick leaves as any other primary teacher. Any excess in taking more than what is the due, results in salary cut off. Concerning the dress code of the ICT teachers, I would like to point out that there exists no uniform for teachers and as long as the ICT teachers respect a certain amount of decency. I, as president of the ICTTN, do not have anything to say on the way these teachers do dress. Until now there has been no complaint on any school inspector?s part as to the ?unsuitability? of their dress code.

On the basis of all these information I would be generous enough to ask these ?caring ZEP parents? to liaise with me in case of any founded complaints and I would take this opportunity to ask all other parents to let themselves be heard on any type of media about the wonderful work that the ICT teachers, at primary level, are doing.

Naseema CARIM BACOR President of the ICTTN