TTUTA: SIS Programme good, but Ministry too slow

Following the recent upsurge of violence in schools, Trevor Oliver yesterday stated that though the School Intervention Strategies (SIS) Programme  was a theoretically sound programme, it was “woefully lacking in funds, structure and the speed of implementation.” Oliver made the statement at a press conference at the headquarters of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) yesterday, to discuss the  decisions arising out of a meeting with the Minister of Education and Ministry officials on Carnival Friday.

Recurring problems surfaced once again following the meeting, as TTUTA is of the view that despite promises from Ministry officials, nothing has been done to deal with the increased violence in schools. Oliver said he agreed with the ministry to have the SIS Programme implemented, and called on the authorities to expedite the out-of-school suspension, where programmes would facilitate the reeducation of these students into the school system. “Yes, this is good, but let’s implement it,” said Oliver. Stating that there was a need to accelerate the alternative curriculum aspect, which included children who were disruptive, he added that these children were sent back to the system, without any kind of counselling. Codes of conduct and a reactivation of student councils needed to done immediately, he added.

Admitting that there had been a breakdown in communications between the Ministry and TTUTA, Oliver said the fifth phase of the security programme in 83 primary schools needed to be placed on the priority list, while increased security in secondary schools needed to be reviewed. The entire executive of  TTUTA agreed that there had to be certain guidelines governing teachers who were trying to help students, and referred to the recent “silent tragedy” as a breakdown in family life and moral values. “We will have to meet with the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Education, Health and other authorities, so that we can get amendments and enactments to laws, so that it would guide teachers in terms of how they do their work” claimed Oliver. Stating that teachers needed to be trained, and that the unification of the education system was taking too long, he said with the introduction of social workers in schools, this would relieve some of the burden undertaken by teachers, whose students were affected whether sexually, or otherwise. He revealed that a number of vacancies existed at both the Valsayn and Corinth Teachers’ Colleges, a problem which has increased throughout the last few months, he said.