ICT Support Officers are currently facing a challenging situation as they strive to obtain their Teacher’s Diploma.
In 2019, 140 ICT Support Officers reached an agreement with the Ministry of Education, facilitated by the Conciliation and Mediation Commission (CCM), to regain their status as educators.
Initially hired in 2003 to teach computer science, they were later relegated to technical support roles.
Five years later, they finally have the opportunity to pursue their Teacher’s Diploma (Primary). However, they are required to attend classes every afternoon and on Saturdays while continuing to work full-time.
There are a total of 126 ICT Support Officers in public schools and 14 in Catholic schools and in Rodrigues.
Since 2019, an agreement was reached through the CCM to recognize them as ICT Educators. In February of this year, the Mauritius Institute of Education (MIE) developed a training program at the request of the Ministry of Education for them to obtain their Teacher’s Diploma.
Unfortunately, the proposed schedule has been deemed exhausting by Rishi Persand, president of the ICT Support Officers Union (ICTSOU). He describes the schedule as overwhelming, with classes scheduled every day from 4 pm to 7 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm.
He expressed that while they are not refusing to undergo the training, the schedule presented by the ministry is unrealistic given their responsibilities as parents and educators.
An alternative solution has been proposed to the Ministry of Education, requesting release from school for one day per week to accommodate the training schedule.
However, there has been no response to this suggestion after more than two months. Persand emphasizes that this proposal does not mean reducing their workload, but rather optimizing their time to cover the necessary modules efficiently.
He also highlights the challenges faced by ICT Support Officers, including working in multiple schools simultaneously and the lack of specific guidelines from the Ministry of Education.
In the absence of a clear directive from the ministry, the MIE has suggested transitioning to online classes, but Persand notes that this does not fully address the issue.
ICT Support Officers are urging the Ministry of Education to find a suitable resolution to allow them to pursue their training effectively while fulfilling their roles as educators.
Many ICT Support Officers are reportedly feeling discouraged, with some opting to leave the service or transition to Support Teachers.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has initiated recruitment for new ICT Support Officers in public schools for the 2024 school year.
Their duties will include teaching basic computing skills and providing necessary technological support in schools.
The recruitment process is ongoing, with the deadline for applications set for March 5th.
Source: Le Mauricien
