Are untrained teachers contributing to the indiscipline in schools?

In recent days I have been catching up on news I have missed over the last three months and have noted comments and news about the school system and, more recently, an article on teachers' influence.

One of the factors I think that has contributed to the indiscipline in the schools is the fact that a number of the teachers in the schools are not trained in teaching but are what is called 'graduate pre-trained'. This means that they have degrees in particular subject areas but have not been exposed to training involved in making them effective instructors/educators. This is also true of pre-trained teachers.

The ability to impart what they know while devising appropriate teaching methods is, therefore, lacking. Lacking also is an understanding of the characteristics of the age group they teach, stages of child development, as well as psycho-social development. Hence, they are not able to effectively address behavioural issues when they arise.

Training needed

I am not against the employment of graduate pre-trained or pre-trained concept because I am aware that there aren't enough trained teachers for the population served. I believe, however, that every effort should be made to ensure that these categories receive the necessary training. One way is to utilise the summers when they are out of school to be trained in the needed areas so that they can not only be more effective, but will be better paid, considering that a trained teacher is better paid.

While I share the view expressed by letter writer Cecille Young (December 11) that teachers also suffer from the psychological effects of disappointments and levels of instability, I do believe that if teachers receive the relevant psychosocial training and development, they would be able to manage adequately situations that may arise, whether personally or in the schools, thereby minimising the impact of both personal and school-related conflicts and indiscipline in the schools.

I am, etc.,

MAVIS FERGUSON

mythoughtsforyours@gmail.com