Poed calls on teachers to boycott evaluation training meetings
Primary school teachers’ union, Poed, called on its members to abstain from training and information meetings organised by the education ministry, on the new teacher evaluation framework, citing lack of consultation and organisational shortcomings.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Poed expressed strong dissatisfaction with the way the ministry is proceeding with the implementation of the recently passed legislation on teacher evaluation.
The union said the meetings were arranged without prior dialogue with Poed and place additional pressure on public schools already struggling with staffing shortages.
According to the organisation, the timing of the training is particularly problematic as it claims many schools are operating with insufficient replacement teachers.
The absence of teachers attending meetings, Poed insists, further disrupts the daily functioning of schools.
The union also raised concerns over planning, arguing that the number of meetings and available places does not correspond to the approximately 8,000 teachers affected by the new legislation, casting doubt on whether all teachers will receive equal and effective information.
Poed requested an immediate meeting with the education ministry to discuss the matter and improve planning and management.
Until a response is received, it is calling on its members not to participate in the training sessions, stating that it will issue a further announcement should there be developments.
The education ministry maintains that implementation of the new evaluation system is progressing as planned and that training activities form part of a gradual transition aimed at supporting teachers during the introduction of the new framework.
The dispute follows months of tension between the ministry and teachers’ unions over the evaluation reform, which Poed has repeatedly said it supports in principle but opposes in its current form, arguing that it was advanced without meaningful social dialogue.