Introduction
Tenure generally referred to the life of a job mainly to senior teachers whose position can not e terminated without a valid reason. The tenure system is mainly applied to the senior level teachers such as professors and associate professors who reach such a position by publishing research materials, teachings and providing administrative services.
Why do other Occupations not have Tenure
In the case of occupations other than teaching, the employees are hired based on their education and knowledge of what they have learned in their college and universities and whether that knowledge and skills would be sufficient to perform that job. The employer is not sure whether the employee will further learn and move ahead in the organization and benefit the organization as the organization improves dynamically. Universities are not factories where machines are updated and changed along with the technology and hence the employees need to enhance their skills along the way, if they do not then the company will hire a competent person in their place to work. Hence the tenure does not apply to other occupations. (George, pg 14)
In the case of other occupations like a manager or a coach, the employee receives a good compensation along with the package which has benefits like medical and educational benefits, which are not provided to the teachers. The employers know that the employee will not stay in the organization long if they have to move ahead in their careers. Hence tenure is not a good option where both the organization and the employees are looking for advancement monetarily.
Why is there so much Opposition to Teachers Tenure
The main reason for the opposition behind teachers’ tenure is a long time, almost like a lifetime job security which no other organization offers to its employees other the universities and college to its teachers. It is mainly because they want to retain the top level of educationalists in their institute as due to them the institution has name and fame. But since the process of pass for tenure is so simple that many teachers are granted tenure and make it possible for the unqualified teacher to be elected. Due to this reason, the students have to suffer as it is a tough thing to expel a tenured teacher, and the teacher can keep his or her job unless the fault is proven and the teacher is guilty. (A. Hermitt, 2007)
Other than this the teacher can be biased or ruthless to the students. They may physically or verbally abuse students, which is not a behavior normally expected from parents and especially teachers. These teachers can like a student and dislike another and for this reason, they may grant extra and unjust marks to the well-liked student no matter how hard the other student works. These unjust behaviors from the teachers are the cause of opposition towards teachers’ tenure.
Conclusion
Teacher tenure is a way of protecting good teachers but it violates student’s rights alongside if the wrong teacher is selected. The solution for this could be to hire teachers on a fixed contract and offer them good pay and package; as low pay and package could be a reason for such misconduct towards students. The contract for good teachers can be renewed which will benefit both teachers and students.
References
- A.Hermitt. Is Teacher Tenure Fair to Students? (2007).
- George, Richard T. De. Academic Freedom and Tenure – Ethical Issues. [Internet] Web.