Authorities in Sharjah have warned private schools against assigning teachers administrative work besides conducting classes and other education-related activities on the school campus.
The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) took the decision after some teachers complained of getting stressed out with the administrative work burden.
The Sharjah Private Education Authority was established in 2018, by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council/Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah. The authority represents the local authority responsible for the affairs of private education institutions (nurseries, schools, centres, and institutes).
Sharjah Private Education Authority Mandate regulates private education in the Emirate of Sharjah, raises the quality of private education through best learning practices, and attracts investment in the private education sector.
Enas Abbas said she was asked to do tasks that were not part of her duties as a physical education teacher.
“I was told to come to the admin office to do some data entry work and other tasks. When I refused to do it, I was asked to resign,” Abbas said.
“These unfair practices happen as some school managements claim they could no longer afford to hire more admin staff because of the challenges brought about by the pandemic,” the teacher added.
The new decision would be a big help for her and other teachers who had been through the same experience, she said.
Ali Al Hosani, director of the SPEA, said the private schools’ managements had been notified about the ban and they were urged to stop imposing teachers with extra tasks that may affect their classes.
The authority will monitor the schools’ compliance with the circular and take all necessary measures to achieve its goal while school administrations will be held accountable for violations.
The SPEA had rejected all requests submitted by some educational institutions to reduce the wages of its teaching staff due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the authority also ordered private schools to pay the salaries that were cut.
Schools have been instructed to properly distribute classes among all the teachers. Schools must ensure that the lessons are distributed as per the specializations of the teachers and their experience. The authority also urged schools to give enough time to teachers so that they can prepare well for the school day.
“The SPEA prioritizes the role of teachers, and we aim to support and enhance the quality of their life in schools. They should not be burdened with tasks that may affect their educational performance,” Al Hosani added.
