Misguided criticism by Oliver

THE EDITOR: I was taken aback by the criticism of the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) directed against “some” teachers. At a Tobago Teachers Get Together Mr Trevor Oliver stated that “there are quite a few (teachers) who are bringing the service into disrepute.” Two areas which he dealt with were the punctuality of teachers and lesson planning.

Really, if these weaknesses exist among teachers then what are the principals and vice-principals doing? Surely, it is their responsibility to ensure that the teachers under their supervision perform well. Teachers upon arrival for work sign a Teachers’ Register. Principals and vice-principals do monitor this exercise, even drawing a red line after the official time of arrival to ensure accuracy. At the end of every month an account of teachers’ punctuality and regularity is prepared, signed by members of staff, and this is forwarded to the Ministry of Education. Any teacher who persistently deviates from accepted standards must be known to the principal and vice-principal of the school. They are supposed to take action to encourage improvement or to discipline the teacher.

To declare that “quite a few teachers” are bringing the service into disrepute because of late coming is a direct reflection of the kind of supervision which exists at the school and district. Probably, Mr Oliver, as the voice of the Ministry of Education, should initiate action against these teachers. One assumes that these teachers’ interest would not be defended by TTUTA. Mr Oliver is probably on more firm ground when he stated that “some (staff representatives) are a disgrace to the profession.” But this condemnation raises some questions. A staff representative is elected annually by TTUTA members in each school. Clearly these persons must have some kind of standing in the staff to be so elected. They must reflect the staff. Probably, the rot must be looked for not among teachers but within the organs of TTUTA. That is, among a select core of TTUTA activities who really do not reflect the views and culture of the vast majority of teachers in the country.

KAMAL PERSAD
Couva Secondary School
Couva