The reports require teachers to submit not only an online report for every class, but a student attendance report as well. This is despite the attendance already being stated in the online report.

Aside from a daily 15-page Google Form submission, a report must also be made every weekend, complete with picture evidence.

In a statement today, National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Harry Tan said the education ministry should consider the strain this has on the teachers.

“NUTP is not rejecting all of the procedures per se,” he said in a statement.

“However, certain parts need to be revised because they do not address the realities of online learning faced by students and teachers alike.

“To make the same report twice to school authorities and the online portal is redundant. We suggest the government just retrieve the report from school authorities instead.”

He also said these procedures neglected the fact that some teachers were not necessarily working fixed hours. Many (teachers) have no choice but to give leeway to students with certain difficulties to submit their assignments, even after working hours.

He said given this, the daily reports only added to their problems as teachers needed the completed assignments to make their reports.

Tan added: “The confusing interface on the online portal is not only limiting, but also confusing. Some teachers are forced to embellish their report submissions just to satisfy the government’s demands.”

He also said the ministry needed to focus on understanding the technical and financial issues faced by teachers and students alike while learning remotely.

“Not every teacher or student can afford the Internet.”

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