Delinquent teachers in PoS schools

THE EDITOR: I have been monitoring my children’s school books every day when they come from school and I observed that they have not been reading since November last year. Home Lesson given sometimes when done is not being corrected by the teacher from the month of January up to now. I spoke to the teacher on many occasions, and he told me that I cannot tell him how to teach his class. No changes up to now. Some parents are fed up of his attitude, but they are afraid to speak. It is not only at this school, my niece who attends another school in the Port-of-Spain area has a similar problem. The teachers are not teaching the infants enough. Imagine if you are not helping your children what will happen. (But when the month comes they collect a hefty salary).

Teachers spend most of the time chatting with other teachers and are never in class. Some of them stay away sometimes three days per week. I believe they have too much leave. It is always, “Put your head down on the desk!” I did not send them there to sleep. If I wanted that I would have kept them at home. I am calling on the School Supervisor of the Port-of-Spain area to address this problem. The children of the Port-of-Spain district are being cheated by these teachers. Imagine two of the main subjects Reading and Mathematics are scarcely being taught by these teachers. I am thinking of transferring these children to the Barataria Anglican School where I have another niece around the same age (6 to 7 years) who always has work to do. Mathematics corrected, Homework given. Sometimes I borrow her copybook and teach these children, when I come from work.

I must say to the principal, I wish all the schools in the Port-of-Spain district can take a pattern from you. Keep up the good work. All the schools in the Port-of-Spain area need shaking up. I do not want my children working with CEPEP. I do hope when the teachers see this letter they will address the problem, and do what they are supposed to do.

PATRICIA STEPHENS
Port-of-Spain