Job Discussion Forums

[geaaronson]

A colleague in my town teaches at one of the local collegios(in Mexico) and does something with her students that just sticks in my craw. I wouldn`t ever do what she has done as I think it is a bit unethical, but I am curious as to what the rest of you think about this situation.

First, she is an excellent teacher. Having said that, here`s the gist.....

She provides supplementary tutoring to her students who are in danger of failing. She charges the smaller class 200 pesos per hour, to be divided by the number of students who have elected to take the additional time with her at her home!

Well, let`s hear it from you guys. Ethical or not?

[johnslat]

Dear geaaronson,

Maybe you and I have too many scruples, but it "sticks in my craw," too. I'd say that it - at the very least - gives the appearance of a conflict of interest, and that - again, at the very least - it seems unethical.

Were she doing it for FREE, however, well, that'd be different .

Regards,
John

[fluffyhamster]

If she's an excellent teacher, whatever fault probably lies mainly with those students in danger of failing.

Mind you, I too wouldn't feel comfortable about charging for any supplementary tutoring...but I might not offer it for free, either (by which I mean I might not offer it at all!). There's only so much teachers can do sometimes, if they are to have that bit more time to themselves, or generate a little more income from sources where there's no conflict of interest.

[thatsforsure]

well, look, people have to make that money. it might not be the best solution in the world but basicaly the students have a demand, she can supply it, shes earning money from her labors not cheating it -- she is doing a lot better than many people in this wolrd

[tttompatz]

Perhaps it would be considered to be "unethical" or a "conflict of interest" by American/Canadian standards but it is the norm and business as usual in a large part of the Spanish speaking world as well as Asia (from Asia Minor to the Date Line.

Provided she is not "flunking out" part of her class just for the express purpose of selling a "tutorial class" then it is just a matter of demand and supply. If you start hearing complaints like this then it is time to respond / react.

.

[naturegirl321]

I did that before, provide extra teaching. I called it Homework Help. Did it twice a week at school, but never charged anything.

If she's failing people to get money, that's one thing. I'm surprised no one at school has said anything.

[sparks]

Jememy Clarkson wrote a bit about just this thing. I can't find it but it was basically about how there was a teacher at some public school who was earning something like 16,000 pounds a year extra by tutoring his students. It was all going smoothly until he sent a note to one of the parents and on the back were his figures for the extra lessons along with the word "Yippee". I don't believe he was fired.

[Sashadroogie]

Such a high level of scruples on this thread!

Don't come to Russia, then. Here, local school teachers quite happily phone up parents and threaten to fail their kiddies if 'favours' are not done. Favours ranging from outright cash payments to chauffeuring services.

In comparison to that, I see no real ethical questions in the situation described by the OP.

[artemisia]

The sticky part is if the students still fail after the extra paid tuition. Would she feel obliged to pass them? If she makes it clear that getting extra private tutoring will not have an impact on how she marks final tests, I suppose it's feasible. I assume she sets their final test and knows what's in it and that it's not an independent exam like IELTS.

Or do you mean unethical in the sense that she's taking away potential extra income from her employer? That situation is usually covered by the contract. I suppose in some places it's easier to get away with this sort of thing than in others. Those students might not find it so easy to get the kind of help they need elsewhere and she knows what they need to work on. It's messy though.

[johnslat]

So, it appears that the behavior described by the OP is the "norm" in many places.
Well, that would seem to be an argument supported by "situational ethics."

"a system of ethics by which acts are judged within their contexts instead of by categorical principles."

However, I suppose whether or not a teacher would would "feel comfortable" behaving in that way is going to depend on the individual.

Personally, it would bother me - on the other hand, I wouldn't "feel comfortable" judging another teacher who was doing it.

Regards,
John

[naturegirl321]

My mom's school district has started an incentive programme based on students' score. The higher the score, the more money they get. BUT, it's a national exam, and they don't get to see it ahead of time, so it would be hard to fudge the grades.

Like artemisia said, I know in some schools where I've worked it explicitedly said that the teacher can't work elsewhere, including private lessons / tutoring. Even the school's kids.

[timothypfox]

Private tutoring of students who are not attending that college or are not attending that college at all could also be construed as a conflict of interest because you might be "taking" students who might otherwise enroll at the college.

But, just remember - ESL teachers are notoriously used enough throughout the world by would-be "friends" who are really hanging with you as much or more to practice their English for free than having you as a friend....

[tttompatz]

[coledavis]

I have certainly come across a lot worse. Unless she is deliberately 'under-teaching' her main classes in order to generate the extra custom, I do not see a major problem. If the students are not up to scratch because of avoidable absences, then they should pay for the additional classes. And even if it was because of illness, if the teacher is paid by the hour, then I still think that the extra teaching hours should be paid. Or have I missed something?

Unless we are talking about formal assessment by the teacher as well..

[geaaronson]