Reader’s Opinion | Why does Helsinki forbid sharing the task of class supervisor in middle schools?

In many the school in Helsinki has long implemented a model where middle school classes have two class supervisors or class instructors, and the task has been carried out in cooperation. In this model, the teachers have shared work tasks, for example monitoring the student’s studies, learning discussions, guardian meetings and preparing pedagogical documents.

Pairs of class supervisors have received half of the class supervisor’s compensation for the task. Regardless of the size (or smallness) of the compensation, sharing responsibility has been a very effective practice. It has significantly increased teachers’ well-being and ability to cope at work. For new teachers, it has perhaps offered an opportunity to learn from a more experienced work partner. Cooperation has also been important from the point of view of students’ well-being.

Now the education and teaching industry of the city of Helsinki is banning the use of this working model. In the future, as a general rule, the class supervisor compensation can only be paid to one person.

We teachers only heard about this two weeks ago and have been shocked. Therefore, in the future, you will no longer be able to cooperate with your own work partner, and you may not necessarily accompany your supervision class until the end of the ninth grade. Some teachers, on the other hand, feel that the task of class supervisor is far too burdensome or demanding for one person.

Sharing the task and compensation of the classroom supervisor does not increase the City of Helsinki’s costs in any way. Now the question is mainly about the contractual technical recording and its interpretation “only one can be paid”. Who has demanded this entry that has caused so much trouble?

If Helsinki wants to maintain the attraction and retention power of middle school teachers, it would be important that this stupid decision be canceled and the record be changed. It’s not about money now, it’s about well-being.

A bunch of disillusioned middle school teachers

Exceptionally, we publish the writing with a pseudonym.

The reader’s opinions are speeches written by HS readers, which have been selected and edited by the HS editorial team. You can leave an opinion piece or familiarize yourself with the principles of the pieces at www.hs.fi/kiryotamielipidekeisuis/.