Sick and guilty

I've been sick now for two weeks. First with the flu, and now with a secondary infection. Stupid workaholic me, pushed myself to go to work all week and now I have hardly managed to get out of bed all weekend.

It was exam week last week for my Year 10s and 11s. I also had to prepare my Year 11s for their final assessment task, which is this week coming. I have had assignments and exams to mark, and reports to write by Tuesday. For the first time ever, I don't think I'll make the deadline.

Why do I feel so guilty? In most other jobs if you're sick, you don't have to leave work for others to do, and you don't continue to work at home. I should have had last week off, but I didn't because I don't want my students failing. But they don't really care anyway, so why should I? I have 90 exams to mark - at least 15 hrs work - 10 minutes per exam. Most of that marking is done in my own time after work. Reports, likewise.

Why do I keep doing this job? For the hours of work, the stress and the responsibility, we get paid pittance. Will it ever change?

The Business Council of Australia (Made up of the CEOs of the top 100 Australian Corporations) have put together a huge research report into the state of education in the country and what is needed if we are to provide for the future needs of industry. They believe teacher shortages and the dropping standard of education is the biggest problem the nation faces. Their research has found that the quality of teaching is the most important factor involved in improving student learning. They suggest that top teachers should be earning A$130,000, not the current A$70,000.

But when will the government listen?