The Memo which is called "Cooperation" addresses the concerns of the Department on the amount of leave of absence requests they are receiving and the effect it is having on students attending public school. The department stated in its memo to all school managers, directors, and the general staff of all public schools that it is becoming a norm for public school teachers to plan extra ordinary vacations and family activities during regular school periods. Teachers and school personnel have 61 vacation days per year which is already putting extra strain on the department because of the lack of substitute teachers and especially because a number of teachers are out on long term sick leave. The Department also reminded its personnel that they are fully responsible for their students' performance at the end of the school year and it is their moral obligation to ensure that the students that are entrusted to them receive well rounded classroom instructions. Students in the various schools need their teachers in the classroom, while the teachers are employed to provide quality instructions on a daily basis during the allotted work period of each school year.
Therefore, the DPES has decided to create an internal solution to the growing problem by asking that the school managers submit the request for leave of absence for their staff to the DPES and they will be the one who will decide on granting the request. Teachers requesting long leave must submit all related documents with their request to DPES. In cases that are necessary, the request will be submitted to the Secretary General of DPES or the Minister's cabinet. Persons who fail to comply with the new procedure will face unpleasant consequences.
DPES also attached a letter of intent that has to be filled out by all teachers indicating whether or not they will be available for the 2012- 2013 school year. Included in the letter of intent is a liability clause that has all teachers working in public education miffed. The liability clause reads: - "In the event one is unable to live up to the Letter of Intent, one shall notify the Department of Public Education Services (DPES) of such no later than May 30th 2012 in writing. Failure to do so will result in liability issues which will result in DPES filing a claim for recompenses as a result of the breach of expressed of intention. The pursuing of claims will be done at the discretion of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs. The teachers are also angry about the calculations of the vacation days. One teacher told SMN News that the Ministry has included all public holidays in the 61 day vacation period while they fail to count the extra week teachers spend in the classrooms at the beginning of every school year.
