[etni] Hang in there
- From: Renee Whal <renew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:20:42 +0200
Dear David, Aviva and others who are so pessimistic about the strike,
It certainly is disheartening to have the strike going on with seemingly no
progress, no income and poor pr.
However, if we are real teachers - people who 'make a difference', we need to
remember the example we have to set:
1) We need to show that we believe in democracy and the right and ability to
influence our leaders.
2) We need to remember that no true reform in education happens in 3 weeks
time, not in 3 months time either.
3) We need to show that steadfastly sticking to principles can produce results
non-violently.
4) We need to understand that the damage to education has been ongoing for the
past 5-10 years, not caused by us, but by governments that are being run on the
wrong principles and bureaucrats with the wrong agenda. No permanent damage
will be caused by cancelling the 'holy Bagrut' this winter. The schools have
no qualms about cancelling 40% of our classes due to other just as
'educational' activities as this strike, so why the uproar about this important
educational lesson? We teachers are not only working under impossible
conditions, but being blamed for them!!! And you know what? If we continue to
accept them as inevitable and unchangeable, then we WILL be responsible for
them.
5) Our country is not in an economic depression. The prosperity we are
experiencing must somehow trickle down to the people at least partly
responsible for this prosperity. Who educated the bankers and high tech
personnel into whose pockets this prosperity is going?
6) How can we let down the parents organizations, the municipalities, the
academics and others who are supporting us?
7) I for one won't be able to face the ridicule and contempt of my pupils if I
go back to work against all my principles without having achieved anything more
than some crumbs and a crippling contract that prevents me from striking for
the next 5 years.
Renee Wahl
Other related posts: