Longer school days to make up for lost learning

[StitchInLime]

Source: Various newspapers, give it a Google (admittedly with a right wing lean)

Apparently one of the options being considered, nothing set in stone of course but for the purposes of discussion...

AIBU to feel both joy and sadness at the prospect of this (joy for me so I can claw back work hours, joy for children so they can claw back some school time but sadness for my teacher friends and all teachers who will need to add more hours to already heavy workload).

@ElliFAntspoo Your post is completely perfect.

Also, this won’t happen. If it did, my children would not participate - I would not let them.

@ElliFAntspoo I like you

I just don't get why this is an issue? Most people do this anyway, they work roughly 9am to 5pm during the day (in the office!) and then log back on in the evenings and their finish work.

Not everyone works in an office, and many that do do not work at home. Lots of people are salaried, and if they work extra over their contracted time they are paid overtime.

In my role under normal circumstances I work 9am to 5pm and then 1.5 hours in the evening after the kids are in bed (usually between 8:30pm and 10pm). This is what most people in professional jobs do. Why is it so shocking to ask teachers to do it for a while?

Most people in professional jobs are paid more than teachers. Yes, I think people in highly paid professions are generally expected to put in whatever hours are required, sacrificing family life at times, , but teaching doesn't come into that category.

In my role under normal circumstances I work 9am to 5pm and then 1.5 hours in the evening after the kids are in bed (usually between 8:30pm and 10pm). This is what most people in professional jobs do. Why is it so shocking to ask teachers to do it for a while?

Because this already happens. I am usually onsite at school from 7:30 am - 6 pm. Go home for dinner and then work again from 8pm - 10 pm or so, plus lots of the weekend. So any extra would have to be on top of the extra already happening. I do need some sleep, time to do the dishes, etc!

I work in financial services for an investment bank and my hours (when not extra busy) generally are 9am to 5pm in the office and then 1.5/2 hours per evening, including one weekend evening.

When I am particularly busy hours are 9am to 8pm in the office plus additional, longer hours at home. This is not unusual for private sector

Well then, why not spend some time helping to educate your children if you have them and are not just on here trolling? Surely they value their education and their future happiness? Surely that is worth spending a little bit of your time with them for? You did take on that responsibility when you had them.

@ElliFAntspoo Large salary?

@yomommasmomma is just trolling. Either that or they are morally bankrupt. I suspect just a troll enjoying the mess they make.

@yomommasmomma

Why do you need to work so many hours? Can't you become more efficient?

I jest.

Most teachers work above those hours anyway, and won't be recompensed for it.

@ElliFAntspoo I hope there's a work laptop under the bridge?

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@ElliFAntspoo Large salary?[/quote]
Me? No where near six digits.

In my role under normal circumstances I work 9am to 5pm and then 1.5 hours in the evening after the kids are in bed (usually between 8:30pm and 10pm).

So you still have the full weekend free? Must be nice

Seriously though, you do work hard and also looking after two kids at home is tough (doing the same currently) but I would never treat you and your profession with as much contempt as you have to teachers on here.

No thanks. I dont want my kids spending even longer at school, when they return. They get tired from a normal school day!

@ElliFAntspoo Me neither. Even when I was working as an experienced teacher. No, I meant @yomommasmomma

Reply to the origional post.

I wouldn’t be happy with a long school day for my kids. They are both tired after a school day and may longer I don’t think would be beneficial or good for them. I’d rather they adapt the curriculum in response.

I work in financial services for an investment bank

Six figure salary, by any chance?

By the end of a school day kids have usually had it and taken as much in / produced as much as they’re capable of. Extra time would be wasted IMO. Quality not quantity

In my role under normal circumstances I work 9am to 5pm and then 1.5 hours in the evening after the kids are in bed (usually between 8:30pm and 10pm). This is what most people in professional jobs do. Why is it so shocking to ask teachers to do it for a while?

Both ex Dh, current Dh, myself, Ds both Dss’s have all worked in professional jobs all their lives. ( l worked in private industry before becoming a teacher)

None of us have worked those hours and there are some pretty high up professional jobs in there.

Maybe you need to find another job?

Ds 27 earns more than a teacher. He starts when his shift starts and finishes it when it ends. He never does overtime. Neither do the others.

To answer some question, I am not a troll, I have been in MN a long time and I am giving my opinion.

I think teachers should be paid a lot more than they currently are, to reflect the importance of their jobs.

I get paid £115k per annum, which I know is a lot more than teachers and that's why I think they should be paid more.

I do think that teachers are capable of working longer hours to cover a temporary national crisis and support the nations children's learning. I don't think they should have to do longer hours forever but for a period of time they can do it and cope with the sacrifices it will bring. I know they can because I do it myself.

And yes I am very actively involved in educating my children (obviously currently I am home schooling fully) and agree that the responsibility to educate them is mine.

@DietrichandDiMaggio

I work in financial services for an investment bank

Six figure salary, by any chance?

Lol. I like that. If not, they are on reception or in a call centre.

I know they can because I do it myself.

Your extended hours are my normal term time hours, so no you do not do it yourself.

I also get 1/4 of your salary so do one.

*get paid £115k per annum

Fucking hell! Thank you for being honest about your wage but it is outrageous that you think someone on £26k odd should be doing the same if not more hours that you are on £115k.

I am actually genuinely shocked by that!

@yomommasmomma £115k?!!!!!!!!!! Do you know how long it would take the average teacher to earn that?!!

In my school year 11 & 13 did an extra lesson Mon-Thurs Sept-Dec. So they did get extra teaching. It's extra work for teachers but I think everyone understood why it was needed.

In theory it sounds great - but I don't want my own children doing extra school work over the school holidays. They're working full school days now in lockdown.

I want them to relax in the school hols and not worry about catching up.

Really schemes of learning & exams need to be adapted. But let people know now which topics need to be covered.

If we keep pushing children harder all the time their mental health really will decline. At the moment the focus needs to be on keeping safe, a routine in place, keeping up with lessons as much as possible. This obsession with academic progress in the UK is not mirrored in other countries.

whoever you are in a bubble with if you are single parent) to take the kids stuff off your plate and work more hours to get it done. Why can't you do this on a temporary basis to help the children to get back on track. Teaching is a vocation surely?

Erm....I am a single parent and my bubble partner is a single friend without children. My children are not her problem. We bubble for each other's company, not because she wants to look after my children whilst I work. What you are suggesting is that my children end up in childcare for even more hours that I have to pay for whilst I work and catch up your children which I won't be paid for.

Why don't you get your child back on track? Why is it the teacher's job? I've been working full time since March with a full online timetable, marking, preparation and work in school as well. I have also had to adjust everything I do with my exam classes to make sure they complete everything they need for the exams they're not going to sit. If your child isn't 'on track' then there really isn't much more I can do, is there? Or should I spend hour after hour with your little cherub whilst mine sit at home alone.

As for vocation. No. It's a job. A job I do to the best of my ability, often to the detriment of my own children, to be paid at the end of every month. Much like everyone else. The holidays are a bonus.

It will never happen.