To unsubscribe please click here
|
MALE TEACHERS REQUIRED FOR BALANCED TEACHING IN AZERBAIJAN'S SCHOOLROOMS
CBN, March 7, 2007
The Education Department of Baku, under the Education Ministry of Azerbaijan, is preparing a new Plan of Action in connection with the decrease of male teachers in Baku's schools. Zamina Aligizi, head of the department's Community Relations, says that the lack of male teachers in Azeri primary and secondary schools remains a problem and might create difficulties for the future: "A few days ago our Department assessed the gender balance of male and female teachers. There are 34,219 primary and secondary schools in Baku, and 88 % of the teachers are female. We are very worried by this at it may negatively affect the future development of boys' character. Boys have a transitional period at the age of 14-16 and might fall into negative influences. Male teachers can help them during this period, because in school men are often called on to take the role of disciplinarian and be an authority figure. Outside work, too, male teachers are often sought to play down the "feminine", emphasizing the role of sports in school, for example, to be seen as "one of the boys". In the Plan of Action we are considering making some concessions to male teachers, such as increasing their salary and giving them exemption from joining the army for 3-4 years, and so on. Once prepared, the plan will be presented to the Azeri President, Ilham Aliev".
For male teachers in Azerbaijan this transitional period has produced mixed and often gendered results. Male teacher levels have fallen considerably more than female teachers in primary and secondary schools. In the past 7-8 years male teachers in Azerbaijan stopped their teaching career to enter a more profitable field and earn a higher salary. Currently most of these male teachers are engaged in business. "Seven years ago I worked in secondary school as a mathematics teacher. But, as time went by, I realized I couldn't provide for my family on such a low salary. I don't have the opportunity to work in two places at the same time in order to earn additional money. That's why I decided to gave up teaching and begin work in the retail trade. Very slowly, I managed to build up the business", says Nizami Aliev, a former teacher. "Looking at the current financial situation of male teachers", added Nizami, "I have no regrets about giving up my former profession: "Teaching children is wonderful, but the poor salary devalues the profession".
The World Bank study notes that poor teacher salaries and the deteriorating condition in the school environment has prompted many of the best male teachers to leave the system and has demoralized the existing teaching staff. For many male teachers in Azerbaijan's primary and secondary schools, the end of the Soviet era signalled the beginning of a period of decreasing opportunities. Now Azeri society, including head masters of educational establishments, are worried by the decreasing number of male teachers with a corresponding increase in female teachers required to replace them. Nigar Jarullakizi, Headmaster of Secondary Specializing Music School named after Bulbul, says that male teachers are leaving school due to low salaries: "This is because our mentality requires that the family must be supported by men (husband). As headmaster I know that a male teacher couldn't provide for his family with a teacher's poor salary. That's why male teachers are forced to find a better paid job. Now this fact is very dangerous for Azeri society. Female teachers have their character as regards women. They can't play a challenging role as do their male counterparts. My pedagogical' observation has showed that male teachers opt for more typically "masculine" activities and emotionally demanding specialisms. They believe their masculinity leads them into more responsible or difficult roles than their women colleagues, and their pupils and others appreciate this. Boys educated in school can acquire a good education, but psychologically they might be forming feminine characteristics".
"When I was educated in secondary school", says N.Jarullakiz, "sports, physics, mathematics and geography were taught by a male teacher. Currently, all of these professions are taught by female teachers in our school. As headmaster I managed to invite only two male teachers to teach history, with great difficulties. Male teachers are very necessary in our schools".
Most male teachers in primary and secondary schools confess that, even though they like their profession, the low salary will force them to find work in another field. "The salary .is very low. I have worked as a history teacher for 25 years but despite holding great professional experience, I only earn 100 manat. My wife is a housewife. I provide for my family with great difficulty. That's why I decided to work in the underground station at night-time. Due to this extra work I am very tired and unable to attend properly to teaching lessons, but I am forced to earn more money", says a male teacher under condition of anonymity.
Female teachers admit that the absence of male teachers in school is the cause of many of the schoolchild-ren's behavioural problems. "For instance, male teachers don't let children smoke. In the past few years the numbers of children smoking in our school has increased. We can't prevent them and we are afraid that they attempt other negative things, for example, drugs. That's why it is necessary for male teachers to return", says Saida Kurbanova, a literature teacher of school number 261.
Malahat Murshidly, Head of the Organization for the Protection of Teachers Rights, considers that the decrease of male teachers in secondary school affects the Azeri family very negatively: "At present, those men who work as a teacher in an educational establishment, are ashamed to go to their home as they earn so little money. Now, due to this situation, male teachers must work in two places in order to adequately provide for their families. Apart from that, the result of decreasing male teachers in our society is creating a feminising process. Boys refuse to join the army. Boy pupils want to look like their female teacher. They take a mirror and comb with them, just like girls. The State and relevant organizations must resist all these worrying cases. For this, it is necessary to increase a male teacher's salary. Otherwise, our society might face a dangerous situation in the near future".
As to the parents' views of this situation, some of them say that they are not worried by the decrease of male teachers in school: "If a teacher has ability it doesn't matter whether they are male or female", says one parent. But another parent doesn't agree: "My son is in 10th class and I am very surprised that he doesn't have the same responsibility to attend classes lessons as we had. I consider school to be a second home for school children and it is necessary for teachers to control their study and their behaviour. Due to the decreasing number of male teacher than previous years, I am forced to straighten and control both the lessons and the behavior of my son", stated Seyran Azizov.
It is a great pity that boys educated in the top pedagogical university in Azerbaijan do not intend to work as teachers after graduating. Few students leaving high schools are intending to join the teaching profession. They start to climb the career ladder as a teacher but before much time has passed they stop this career permanently. Zaur Aliev, a 4th course student of Azerbaijan Pedagogical University says that he hasn't any intention of working as a teacher after graduating: "When I submitted my application for entering university, I had no desire that I would work as a teacher, but I couldn't get the necessary results required for entrance into Baku State University. Currently, the highest salary for teachers is 80 or 100 manat. How is it possible to provide for a family with this money? There are male teachers who are given 40 manat salaries, nobody can support himself with this amount of money".
Ajdar Aghaev, Head of the Institute of Education Problems' Conceptual Department, considers that female teachers can't take the place of male teachers in educational establishments: "Male teachers in primary and secondary school increases and propagandizes patriotism. Generally, men are rational, but women are emotional in everything. Male teachers are very serious and they mainly teach factual sciences, such as mathematic, physics, geography and chemistry. But now there are only a few male teachers in our secondary school and it is necessary to do something. First of all the State must increase their salaries as one solution". "Another problem", says A.Aghaev, "is that it is necessary to pay attention and identify future teachers in high pedagogical institutes: "Those student who are educated in a pedagogical university should be required to take an ability examination so that they qualify to work as a teacher after graduating."
"ROUND TABLE" ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN`S DAY
|
|
|
|
|
March 2007,
Issue No. 47
Previous Issues
UNDP Azerbaijan Website
Bulletin Home Page
NOVRUZ RINGING THE DOORBELL
Azernews, March 20, 2007
Aliyev congratulates nation on historic date
The Azerbaijani people celebrated national holidays in a rather low-key way during the Soviet Union times. However, after they asserted sovereignty and established an independent state upon the Soviet collapse in 1991, March 20-21 - the Novruz Bayrami (Holiday) marking the advent of spring - were officially announced holidays. President Ilham Aliyev has lately issued a decree announcing the celebration of the holiday for five days for the first time in the republic's history. Under the decision, the people of Azerbaijan will celebrate the date for a full week starting this year.
|
more
|
If you have any suggestions for how we can improve the Bulletin,
please send us an e-mail. Your input would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
