Once upon a time there was an NT principal. In quiet reflection, she decided to make major changes to the schools structure, timetable and educational approaches. The schools senior staff were informed with the clear expectation that they were to support implementation. These major changes were described to staff on the first day of school, and implemented thereafter. At the first school council meeting of the year, the principal really did not seek endorsement but announced them as a fait accompli. They were included in the schools Annual Plan, which was endorsed perfunctorily by the council. While the majority of staff either supported or at least acquiesced to the situation, a vocal minority of experienced teachers were visibly unhappy. A month later, a couple of staff reported to the principal that one of the senior teachers was participating in highly critical conversations, questioning the principals capacity and integrity. They alleged that the senior teacher was sending emails to other staff, parents and school council members urging a reversal of the new policies. The principal decides to contact the DoE IT contractor to gain access to the ntschools emails of the senior teacher. What she sees there, in her opinion, confirms that the senior teacher is breaching the NTPS Code of Conduct. Without reference to anyone else, the principal suspends the senior teacher with pay indefinitely. She contacts the senior teacher with this advice, and tells them that they may not attend the school pending an investigation (to be conducted by the principal), that their ntschools account has been closed, and that, at some stage they will be provided with the allegations in detail, and given an opportunity to respond to them. The senior teacher is an AEU(NT) member and approaches their union for support. After representations by the AEU(NT) condemning the behaviour of the principal, pointing out the improper process, the lack of moral judgment etc. .................. The above is fictional. However, if we transpose the principal for the Secretary of the AEU(NT) and the senior teacher for an Organizer, it bears some semblance of reality. If this were the case (internal to AEU(NT)), how do you think the final paragraph might play differently?
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 05:53:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015