The rate of absenteeism among teachers in Micronesia is higher than the national average in the United States, according to a study by the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning or PREL.<\/p>\n
The study, which covered all eight island states and entities, showed that teachers in Micronesia are “away from their classrooms” on an average of 11 days.<\/p>\n
The number of absences range from five to 22 days, the study said.<\/p>\n
“We’re way above the national average which is seven,” said Denise Lea Uehara, PREL’s program specialist..<\/p>\n
The study entitled Retention and Attrition of Pacific School Teachers and Administrators examined the risk factors associated with teacher and school administrator absenteeism. The report was released late last year.<\/p>\n
It was conducted among schools in the CNMI, American Samoa, Guam, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Palau, Yap, and Chuuk.<\/p>\n
The study, according to Uehara, found that while stress and burnout problems do not exist among Micronesian teachers, absenteeism is the most common.<\/p>\n
The issue of absenteeism, Uehera said, is related to cultural factors such as the islanders’ tradition of giving priority to funeral attendance over work.<\/p>\n
In some islands, local teachers are entitled to five days of funeral leave.<\/p>\n
Uehara said Micronesian states and islands have good leave policies, but they are not properly implemented.<\/p>\n
She said PREL is in the process of developing a supplemental policy that would be incentive-based rather than punishment-oriented.<\/p>\n
“We have suggested giving a reward to teachers with the least number of absences. The reward may come in the form of certificates or discounts at local stores,” Uehera said.<\/p>\n
Another incentive being proposed by PREL is to give teachers with good attendance record public recognition, Uehara said.<\/p>\n
Uehara said PREL is also proposing the principals be made accountable for teachers’ frequent absences, and be evaluated based on their teachers’ attendance.<\/p>\n
“This will inspire principals to enforce the existing attendance policy,” Uehara said.<\/p>\n
PREL is preparing a policy brief which will be presented to the board of directors who, incidentally, are heads of education agencies in the Pacific islands.<\/p>\n
“The policy will trickle down to the principal level where enforcement takes place. With a new policy we hope to see [positive] changes [in teachers’ attendance],” Uehara said. (MCM)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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