Author: Yuna
Editor: Emilio
In recent years, ISM has faced growing concerns about increasing class sizes, raising questions about how this affects the overall learning environment. Many students have wondered why the school assigns two teachers to a single classroom. Is it related to the noticeable rise in class sizes?
The growing enrollment at ISM has led to a corresponding increase in teachers, particularly in high-demand subjects like science. However, while the student population continues to expand, the number of available classrooms has not kept pace. This has resulted in the need for shared teaching spaces, with some teachers occupying the same classrooms at different times. For instance, chemistry teachers Mr. Mawer and Ms. Vinter share a single classroom. Additionally, the rise in student numbers has led to larger class sizes, placing extra pressure on teachers and the overall learning environment.
According to one of the chemistry teachers, the school’s solution to the limited number of classrooms involves assigning multiple teachers to share a single classroom. This required teachers to show a great deal of flexibility, often relocating to other areas, such as the faculty lounge or different academic departments, when their assigned classroom is in use. Despite the challenges of complicated lesson plans, the strategy aims to maximize the use of available space while trying to maintain the quality of education in increasingly crowded conditions.
Another teacher in the social studies department also added that while sharing classrooms with other teachers can be challenging, he views it as a necessary adjustment to improve the school’s ability to handle the growing student population. According to him, it is simply a way to overcome the difficulties faced by the school and is part of the larger effort to adapt to these changes and ensure that the education system continues to function effectively.
“The enrollment numbers have slightly increased, particularly over the past two years, due to maintaining high-quality teaching and learning. This year, we added teachers in Math, Social Studies, Wellness, and PE, and next year, we plan to add more in Counseling and Science,” says Ms. Thompson, the High School Assistant Principal. While increasing class sizes and shared classrooms present challenges, the school’s efforts to adapt to challenging environments show a commitment to maintaining a high-quality education. By addressing these challenges, ISM continues to adjust to the growing student population, supporting both students and teachers as they navigate these changes.
