Forum: Smaller class sizes can make a difference to teachers’ workload

I refer to the commentary “

Long hours, huge stress: So what keeps a teacher going

?” (Oct 22).

I applaud the teachers interviewed. Their unwavering dedication to their students’ well-being struck a chord with me. But it is imperative that we help reduce their workload.

Back in the kampung days, teachers also made regular house visits, but their stress levels were not as high. The stress levels today come from factors like a greater emphasis on academic results, managing students and their devices, and a denser curriculum.

These are factors we cannot reverse easily. I think the quickest way to help our teachers today with their workload is to reduce class sizes. 

We have schools merging due to falling student numbers, so how about taking this opportunity to spread out the load instead?

Just by reducing the number of students in a class from 40 to 30, we can enhance the class experience for both teachers and students. The number of teaching hours and lesson planning may not lessen, but surely time spent marking and managing students will be reduced.

I hope the Education Ministry will review the fundamentals and start making meaningful changes before our teachers run out of steam.

Ng Yee Cheng