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      17 admin tasks that teachers shouldn’t have to do
      Submitted by Yearinthelifeof on 20 January, 2012 - 13:51

      It's January, we're in the middle of the academic year and I feel swamped with admin. Should I be struggling like this, though?

      According to the DfES (Department for Education and Skills) in the UK, teachers shouldn’t be expected to do any of the following admin related tasks:

      1.      Collating student reports

      2.      Stocktaking

      3.      Chasing absences

      4.      Cataloging, issuing and maintaining equipment

      5.      Bulk photocopying

      6.      Administering and invigilating examinations

      7.      Minuting meetings

      8.      Producing class lists

      9.      Administering teacher cover

      10.  Seeking and/or giving personnel advice

      11.  Record keeping and filing

      12.  ICT trouble-shooting and minor repairs

      13.  Managing student data

      14.  Classroom display and cleaning

      15.  Analyzing attendance figures

      16.  Ordering supplies and equipment

      17.  Processing exam results

      I’ve had to do every single one of these tasks at some time or another. Currently, I’m responsible for about half the tasks on that list as part of my job description. Some enable me to get a better picture of how things work and also how things are really going for my students. Others are just a pain in the neck.

      I fully respect secretarial and admin staff and what they do, but I think it’s fair to say that sometimes the skills we as teachers possess would be put to better use teaching and some of these things we should never have to.

      Do you agree?

      How many of these have you had to do / do you have to do?

      Average: 5 (1 vote)

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      Comments

      asligokturk's picture
      asligokturk
      Great Post!
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 14:39

      Dear Adam,

      I loved your post! :) I agree with verything you said (I couldn't agree more). Except for 10 & 16 I I have to do them as well. Thanks for this post.

      jthunder's picture
      jthunder
      :)
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 14:59

      As a teacher in Turkey,we have to do lots of things which we shouldn't be doing .Besides  the list ,our headmaster had given each of us a notebook at the beginning of this semester and  we have to write the students names,their personal information and what we think about them,how often we have talked with their parents,what kind of problems they have ect....

      We also have to remind the students to pay the annual school money or what ever it is called and if this money isn't collected good enough then the dear Headmaster looks at you and says that you aren't working well enough,you have to work more,more and more.....

      I think I am lucky as I am working at a public school  so you aren't fired  if you don't work good enough. But I can't imagine what the English teachers at private schools are doing:(

      oztrkozge's picture
      oztrkozge
      Feel myself lucky :)
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 16:16

      Thanks Adam for showing me how lucky I am with your post :)

      In our school, we have special department for any ICT problems and professional staff who is the secretariat of my department, he is responsible for doing all paperwork even classroom list.

      All I have to do is processing exam results because the system asks for username and password :)

      Maybe I am an exceptional but you are right, in my previous school they put all these works to teachers. For example;if a teacher has knowledge in ICT, he has to do all work but of course in return he doesn't have to do all extra paperwork, I mean the balance mechanism was working very well :) Was it fair, though?? :)) it is the real question....

      Thanks for sharing... 

      Yearinthelifeof's picture
      Yearinthelifeof
      Ha :-)
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 16:31

      I don't know if I'm glad to hear that or not! I don't really mind doing these things that much, but sometimes I just want to be able to get on with teaching!

      lemanulas's picture
      lemanulas
      :)
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 16:53

      Hahha :) good point! :) Leman U.

      crystalheart's picture
      crystalheart
      That's our job
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 17:03

      We have to do those tasks and more and I think that's why our job is respected as a holy job.

       

      asligokturk's picture
      asligokturk
      Iphone, Ipad, I Paid
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 17:51

      You mean that one right? It's hilarious!!!

      lisedwards's picture
      lisedwards
      Blog on!
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 18:14

      All this administration and you still find time to blog ...... good on ya!

      CoffeeAddict's picture
      CoffeeAddict
      Love it! You are so very very
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 18:36

      Love it! You are so very very right! I also have a TON of stupid busy-work tasks that I really shouldn't have to do but do anyway...

      Yearinthelifeof's picture
      Yearinthelifeof
      :-)
      Submitted on 20 January, 2012 - 18:50

      So... what are we gonna do about it?

      Nothing!

      Doing some of these things makes me feel more a part of my school, while others enable me to get a better feel of how things work. I guess admin isn't always that bad.