Teachers upset by punchcard system, It is efficient, say principals
By Veena Bharwani
March 12, 2009
THEY punch in for work in the morning and punch out when they leave at the end of the work day, just like factory workers.
WHO'S AT WORK? Several schools use the punchcard system, while others have teachers sign in at the school office. TNP PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: JONATHAN CHOO
The difference is they're teachers. And many are resentful.
But the principals of these schools are sticking to their guns. They tell The New Paper that it is a more efficient way of marking attendance.
The teachers remain riled despite the explanation. They ask: Aren't there more dignified ways of monitoring attendance?
Why reduce them to hourly-rated workers in front of their students?
'It's very embarrassing,' said a teacher from one such school. 'One student has even raised the issue by asking me: 'Isn't this what factory workers do?'
At Hillgrove Secondary School, which also requires teachers to punch in and out, a teacher was fuming.
'I feel like a factory worker reporting to work every day. It's a system that makes sense for (factory workers) as they are paid by the hour,' she said.
'By punching in and out, their bosses can calculate the amount of overtime pay they should make,' added the teacher, whom we cannot name because teachers need approval from their principals before speaking with the media.
'Why subject teachers, who are professionals on a fixed pay, to such an unprofessional practice?'
This teacher, who has 10 years' experience, added that the punchcard system was implemented in December when the new principal took over.
Every morning, teachers and heads of departments have to go into the general office, take their respective cards and punch in.
When they leave, they do the same thing.
Only the principal and the two vice-principals do not need to do so. 'It's like we are children and need to be monitored closely,' the teacher added, clearly upset. 'Before the punchcard system, we just had a book to sign in and out. That was more respectable.
'Why change the system?'
When asked about the use of the system in his school, Hillgrove Secondary principal Kenneth Lee would only say that the punchcard system was introduced to keep track of staff attendance and presence in the school.
He added: 'The introduction of this system is to make this more convenient for them to do so.'
Since the '70s
Another school which uses the system is Dunearn Secondary School.
Principal Wong Lok Oon said the system in his school was introduced in the '70s, when the school was built.
Said Mr Wong: 'It is a ministry requirement that all teachers clock in and out every day.'
He added that none of his staff has complained about the practice and so they have continued with the system.
An Education Ministry spokesman said that schools need to keep track of staff members to ensure that student activities are looked after and classes are attended to.
But schools have the liberty to decide how they want to keep track of their teachers.
But not all schools support the practice. It is not certain how many schools have implemented this system for their teachers. One head of department, who declined to be named, said he was against implementing the system when his principal mooted the idea several years ago.
Said the 35-year-old: 'We had a problem of three teachers who kept coming in late in the morning. So the principal thought, as a preventive measure, why not start the punchcard system for all teachers?
'But it did not make sense to penalise and disrespect the majority of teachers when the problem was caused only by a handful. It would also instantly affect the morale of all teachers.'
He said they approached the three teachers personally and told them to be punctual.
Logbook
'We also introduced the logbook system as a way of monitoring their attendance, but in a less regimented fashion.
'Yes, (the logbook system) is not foolproof but teachers are adults and we have to treat them with respect and trust them.'
The problem was solved, he added.
Madam V Amuthan, a parent of two teenagers, agreed. She said: 'I feel it's not right because as teachers, they would want to feel trusted and this system makes it seem that principals do not trust them.'
But some teachers do find the system effective.
One teacher said: 'We are all rushing in the morning and it is the fastest way to mark attendance. With the logbook, we have to write our identity card numbers and sign in.
'It just takes more time.'
Other schools have access cards that they use to mark attendance and gain access to staffrooms.
A teacher, 28, who uses the card, said: 'It's a more respectful and reliable way of marking attendance.
'Plus, it can be very useful in emergencies as you can instantly know if a particular teacher is in school if she is needed urgently.'
Source:
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...95413,00.html? 
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