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The article in Chemistry World (The Unsung Heroes of the Lab, Chemistry World, December 2018), discussed the important work carried out only in Universities but there is also a problem in schools (both UK and internationally) where technicians are employed, to enable teachers to teach an experimental scheme of work more effectively and efficiently. The same issues as presented in the article apply to them.
Sir John Holman led an International report on the role of Good Practical Science (http://www.gatsby.org.uk/uploads/education/reports/pdf/good-practical-science-report.pdf) and wrote;
• Science departments should have enough technical or technician support to enable teachers to carry out frequent and effective practical science.
• Technicians should be valued as an integral part of the science department. They should be given professional development opportunities to refresh their professional skills and their expertise in health and safety, and to give them new ideas for practical science. They should have opportunities to get professional recognition through Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) and Registered Scientist (RSci).
Technician support is already being eroded in the UK and other parts of the world by senior management who are not science trained and wonder at their worth. I have often heard them referred to as to as “washer uppers” and as “slaves” to the Head of Science. In my 25 years as Chemistry Adviser at CLEAPSS (www.cleapss.org.uk) which provides support to education in science in schools mostly in UK, I have received many queries from technicians about procedure and safety in chemistry. I can relate several times when the watchful eye of the experienced technician has saved the careers, health of teaches and the reputation of the school when teachers have suggested dangerous procedures.
Chemistry World appears to have never commented on this excellent report by Sir John Holman. Chemistry teachers who are RSC members get access to Education in Chemistry (EiC), but how many members in Industry and Academia look at EiC!
Robert (Bob) Worley FRSC