To ensure all English language teachers have met the required standard, they should take the benchmark test or attend accredited training courses.
However, the Professional Teachers' Union and some teachers have boycotted the benchmark test.
They were angry and staged demonstrations. But why did they not try to express their feelings sensibly and quietly, instead of boycotting the tests?
The teachers' actions may have set a bad example for their students. Students may think that if teachers can refuse to sit exams, so can students.
I sympathise with teachers' feeling not respected but if teachers cannot achieve the standards required, they must work harder, just like students have to if they fail exams.
The Government should also allow language teachers who fail the test to do some courses to pass the benchmark tests second time around. Only having one opportunity to take the benchmark test is not enough. This way, I am sure teachers will not be afraid of facing the test anymore.
