Odvážné učitelky z Gymnázia Christiana Dopplera v Praze

Jarmila Samirová and Blanka Dryková defy harassment by superiors

Teachers Jarmila Samirová and Blanka Dryková have reported a breach of binding rules and other malpractices at the Christian Doppler Grammar School in Prague. Although their findings were confirmed by the Czech School Inspection, they were subjected to pressure and bullying. In the end their lost their jobs.

The case dates back to June 2009, when a deputy headmistress changed without authority a fail mark (F) of her daughter and two other students to “satisfactory” (D) in the class records. She did so with the consent of the headmistress. Teachers Jarmila Samirová and Blanka Dryková insisted that the F marks be reinstated and a commission be appointed to test the students, but their calls were not heeded. However, the Czech School Inspection upheld their demand.

Before long, a similar situation occurred. Jarmila Samirová  was barred from attending the re-examination of her student, although she was entitled to attend in accordance with her school’s rules. She complained to the Czech School Inspection, which again upheld her request.

The school management reacted by asking the two teachers to resign. The two teachers were stripped of their bonuses although they were paid to other members of the teaching staff, and their personal evaluation was cut by about a half; offensive e-mails were sent to their electronic addresses, they were demoted as organizers of a study trip to Great Britain, were falsely accused of embezzlement of funds and discriminated against in many other ways. Finally their teaching schedules were altered to prevent them from meeting their obligations at another school.

The headmistress never justified her moves and refused to meet trade unions over the issue, although it was her duty. In the event, both teachers were forced by circumstances to resign.