We liked this letter to the Editor in The Age, Wednesday June 13.
Teaching, like rowing, is the ultimate team sport
A STUDENT starts performing better in physics; to whom should the performance pay go? The physics teacher for improving the mark? The teacher of the closely related subject, mathematics, whose work on formulas improved the student’s understanding of the equations used? The English teacher, without whom the student’s comprehension of worded questions would be poorer? The PE teacher, for improving the fitness of the student, allowing them to focus on their studies for longer? The teacher who prevented an episode of bullying in the yard? The teacher who acts as a mentor and a role model, and is friends with the physics teacher and passed on a tip on how to get the best out of this particular student? On it goes.
Learning is an interdependent process in which a team effort is required. Performance pay will create a silo mentality and the outcomes for students will not be as positive.
David Blom, Nunawading
Do you agree with David?
