10 reasons why teachers argue lesson plans shouldn’t be required

Lesson plans are an integral part of teaching. It has been part of the teaching field for many decades. However, while many educators see it as a key planning tool and process, there are others who think lesson plans have outlived their usefulness. The reasons why some teachers argue lesson plans shouldn’t be required or prepared by teachers on a weekly basis are many. Some have argued that experienced teachers with many years of teaching do not need to recycle their lesson plans or teaching notes over and over again for every term or year.

There are 10 reasons why teachers argue lesson plans shouldn’t be required any more. Below are the reasons.

1. It wastes teachers’ time

Teachers spend 2-3 hours weekly writing detailed plans. If no one reads them, that’s time they could use to mark books, help students, or prepare better lessons.

2. It feels disrespectful

When you do hard work and nobody checks it, it feels like your effort doesn’t matter. Teachers want to feel trusted and valued.

3. Teachers already know what they’re teaching

Good teachers plan in their head, in a notebook, or on a phone. Forcing a special format doesn’t make the teaching better if the teacher is already prepared.

4. Plans often change in the classroom

A teacher may plan to teach fractions, but students don’t understand addition yet. Teachers must adjust quickly. A written plan submitted days before can’t predict this.

5. It creates “pretend” paperwork

Some teachers copy old plans or write what they think admin wants to see, not what they’ll really do. This defeats the purpose of planning.

6. No feedback means no improvement

The main reason for submitting plans should be to get advice from admin. If admin never reads them, teachers don’t get tips to become better.

7. It reduces trust between teachers and admin

When teachers must submit but admin doesn’t do their part, it feels unfair. Trust goes both ways.

8. It takes time away from students

Every hour writing a plan that won’t be read is an hour not spent giving extra help to a struggling student.

9. Teaching is measured by results, not papers

What matters is, do students understand? Are they learning? A perfect lesson plan doesn’t mean perfect teaching.

10. It causes burnout

Teachers already do marking, meetings, clubs, and parent calls. Extra paperwork that serves no purpose makes teachers tired and frustrated.

Important note: Lesson plans _are_ useful for the teacher to organize thoughts. The problem is when they become only for showing admin instead of helping with teaching. Many schools fix this by having short “plan checks” where admin gives real feedback or by trusting teachers to plan their own way.

Which number are you standing with?

What do you think? Should teachers still plan even if no one checks?

Written by : Emmanuel Ansah