All teachers may agree that teaching is a noble profession and class time is short and precious. But not all teachers agree that teaching small classes is as effective as teaching large ones. I don’t. Even if research says that what counts is not the size of the class, but the quality of the teaching. Even if research suggests that the key to effective instruction and student learning, “regardless of class size”, is engaging students in active learning. I don’t agree with what research says, especially in the context of Philippine public school setting.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the “best way” to teach large classes does not really exist. At least, not in the elementary or high school level. Holding large classes is basically contrary to what teaching is supposed to do: stimulate continued student interest and integrated learning.
Based on my experience, no matter how varied and well-planned the class activities were and how organized and systematic I was, every school day for me was extremely tedious, frustrating and stressful. I couldn’t help but wonder how my fellow teachers survived all these years.
Teaching in a Philippine public school is synonymous with teaching mega-classes in small and stuffy unventilated rooms. I could hardly remember the names of my students. Students just become faces instead of people. There are no teaching assistants to help you; and even with a solid curriculum, there’s not enough books, teaching materials, and school supplies for the class. I didn’t have enough time in my hands to at least check and record their daily quizzes halfway through. I couldn’t get opportunities in getting to know the students more, in helping them find their voices, and in assisting them in their difficulties.
Most of the time, during the beginning of the school year, some classes have to be temporarily located in the library, laboratory rooms, or even in unfinished buildings and under the trees. That also means that the rest of the student population are deprived of using the library and laboratory rooms until they become available. On top of that, teachers receive poor recompense causing most of them to find other means of livelihood even to the point of being occasionally truant themselves.
But you don’t have to deal much on unmotivated and disrespectful students. You don’t have to roll up your sleeves and get messy with the unruly ones simply because Filipino kids are generally learners with a very positive attitude towards school and teachers.
I feel bad that students often find themselves in a situation like this. They deserve better than what they are getting.