Costs, ranking points and possible overlaps with teaching hours. Domani Motus Liberi has filed a parliamentary question regarding the training course designed for substitute teachers in San Marino, asking the Congress of State for clarity on the conditions of participation and the consequences for school organization.
“Teacher training is an indispensable pillar of a quality education system. However, it cannot and must not become yet another burden placed on teachers’ shoulders – least of all when it is non-tenured staff, and indirectly the most vulnerable students, who end up paying the price,” the statement reads.
According to reports received by the movement, the course would involve around one hundred teachers, with a possible cost of roughly €3,000 per participant. The movement is seeking precise, documented answers regarding these figures, along with clarification on whether the course is mandatory or optional.
“First of all, it must be clarified whether participation is compulsory, or whether the awarding of ranking points effectively makes it a choice that is hard to refuse for anyone wishing to maintain their position on the list. We firmly believe that those experiencing precarious employment conditions cannot be treated as a resource on which to offload further financial and organizational burdens.”
The movement is also calling for a review of any overlap with previous university or training courses, so that skills already acquired are properly recognized. “While asking teachers to invest in their own professional development is entirely legitimate, we believe it is equally essential to ensure that such an investment is sustainable, genuinely useful, and takes into account what has already been achieved through study and experience.”
Another issue concerns the course schedule. According to the reports cited in the statement, some sessions would coincide with teaching hours, particularly on Monday and Friday afternoons, making it necessary to reorganize classroom activities.
“If confirmed, this situation would require special attention to the potential impact on continuity of support for students with disabilities and on the delivery of physical education. For students who require constant support, having a consistent teaching presence is essential for full participation in school life – and this cannot be compromised under any circumstances.”
The parliamentary question therefore seeks clarification on how the course was established, the rules governing it, and where the fees paid by teachers are ultimately directed. “With this question, we are seeking firm answers – but above all, full transparency on who established the course, its legal basis, the criteria used to assign ranking points, its overall cost, and who ultimately receives the sums paid. Respect for the work of our teachers also means making organizational choices that do not force them to choose between training and teaching.”
