Other teaching issues, Mr Oliver

THE EDITOR: I am compelled to express my views regarding this issue of negotiations between TTUTA and the CPO. My concerns relate more specifically to the urgent quest by TTUTA’s President, Mr Trevor Oliver for completion of these negotiations. Whilst I understand that compensation packages must be reviewed, I wish to recommend to Mr Oliver, that the same level of energy which he is expending on this issue, should be transferred to some other issues which are negatively affecting our education system.

As a private teacher myself, I can fully substantiate my claims in this regard, because my students (both primary, private and secondary), keep me abreast of their daily experiences which include:

• High teacher absenteeism (in addition to absenteeism, sometimes teachers are present and still do not perform their duties efficiently)

• Verbal abuse (this involves verbal attacks on students who may have difficulty in understanding a particular topic) — If a student is not being taught effectively, how can he/she learn???

• Inconsistent teaching methods (examples of these include beginning from Chapter 10, whilst the student has no knowledge of the contents in Chapters 1-9).

I can continue much longer, but I will only become more and more disgusted, so I will stop here. Mr Oliver, your intervention or otherwise please!!!

S RATTAN
Port-of-Spain