the Teaching profession is one of the most important in society. Therefore it is obvious that we need to discuss the teachers ‘ work situation. The Swedish schools inspectorate has highlighted how important it is to municipalities and independent schools provide teachers with good conditions. With this said, we would like to respond to several unwarranted claims that Isak Skogstad and Hamid Zafar in his op-ed. We respond here to that relating to the schools Inspectorate and the Child and school student representative (BEO).
the Authors write, among other things, that ”school authorities sets the active incentive for the teachers to become fearful and avoid to intervene” and that ”it is crucial that the school authorities ceases to actively oppose teachers ‘ mandate”.
This is the remarkable and unfounded. Of course, there is nothing in the authorities ‘ efforts to make teachers afraid. We are opposing not any occupational group in the school. It is to misunderstand the authorities ‘ mission. The schools inspectorate works on the basis of the parliamentary legislation and the government’s instruction.
. On the one hand, a teacher both the right and obligation to intervene under tillsynsplikten. On the other hand, do not receive any student to be offended. In Sweden we have compulsory attendance and there is a zero tolerance policy against violations.
Artikelförfattarnas argument starts from some examples that are imperfectly reproduced and taken out of context. The conclusion is that Skogstad and Zafar draws is that students who disrupt the order in classroom and gets a rebuke by a teacher, can easily assert that they have been wronged and then get the compensation by the schools Inspectorate.
the Starting point of a notification is the student’s burden, but we are investigating is always factually and objectively if a violation can be proved. We do not represent the student when we do the investigations in the supervision.
We do not want to go into detail in the examples. In one of these cases, however, both the schools Inspectorate, as well as BEO stated that the employee, who is not a licensed teacher, in a clear way gone over the limit of its duty to enforce it.
. According to Skogstad and Zafar it would suffice that a student says that they feel offended. This is a misconception. The starting point of a notification is the student’s burden, but we are investigating is always factually and objectively if a violation can be proved. We do not represent the student when we do the investigations in the supervision.
the Author indicates that our decision does not take into account that the other student situation at the school needs to be ensured. Also this is incorrect. To safeguard the other pupils and the situation of an escalating brawl is a part of teachers ‘ duty to enforce it. It is exactly what we are reviewing. Teachers have not only a right but also an obligation to maintain order in the classroom. But there is a limit: If not the intervention is proportionate to the aim. When is the behaviour considered as abusive treatment.
. First we want to clarify that our decisions are never addressed to the individual teachers. If we have criticism directed to the principal who has overall responsibility for pupils ‘ safety and for resources.
We believe, moreover, that we in many other ways shows that teachers need good conditions. It is worrying about the threat of complaints against teachers is used as a tool in a lack of dialogue between outraged parents and the school. Teachers need support from the municipality or the independent school to manage a good interaction with parents and students, in all situations, even when it becomes conflictual. In addition, issues where there may be problems are always handled as close to the learner as possible. Therefore, we have for several years been actively highlighted by the local klagomålshanteringens weight.
If one considers that teachers need more powers, so should the law be changed. This is determined by political decision-makers.
Many schools have a very good job with security and study environment. But in case it doesn’t work then we request for improvements in order to secure the pupils ‘ rights. It is our task.
We hope this can give the right facts in the continued critical discussion about the teachers ‘ situation in school.
