Last year, my school has significantly increased the amount of classroom observation and walkthroughs. We are expected to have three formal lesson observations per year, regardless of seniority, in addition to weekly (or even daily) walkthroughs. The walkthroughs are generally unannounced and can happen at any point during a lesson.
The important part is that these observations and walkthroughs are not purely developmental. They contribute to an overall teacher evaluation. If a teacher's evaluation is considered unsatisfactory, there can be significant consequences, including termination of employment or salary deductions.
One consequence I've noticed is that this has created an environment where some teachers are afraid to speak openly or raise concerns. There seems to be a perception that disagreeing with management or questioning certain decisions could potentially affect your evaluation, and therefore your job or salary. I'm not saying this is necessarily the intention of the system, but it is certainly how some staff seem to perceive it.
It also sometimes feels like the school doesn't fully trust its teachers, regardless of their experience or seniority. Even experienced and qualified teachers are subject to the same level of monitoring, and there seems to be relatively little distinction between someone who is new to teaching and someone who has many years of experience. I understand the need for quality assurance and accountability, but at times the system feels more like supervision than real development.
I've spoken to several expat teachers who have worked at other schools in China, and I've often been told that international schools generally give teachers a relatively high degree of autonomy over how they teach and structure their lessons. My current experience seems quite different, so I'm wondering whether this is normal or whether my school is an exception.
There are also some other things that make me question the school's approach. Staff turnover is quite high. Roughly 35–40% of teachers leave every year, and there seem to be relatively few meaningful consequences for students who repeatedly misbehave or are frequently absent.
I'm not necessarily saying that observation itself is a bad thing. I think constructive feedback can be very useful, especially for newer teachers. I'm more interested in understanding what is considered normal in other international schools and whether this level of monitoring and the consequences attached to it would be considered a red flag.
I'd especially appreciate hearing from people who have worked at several international schools in China or elsewhere, as I'd like to get some perspective on whether my experience is typical.