National tests go on

THE National tests were carried out in seven of the eight education districts yesterday, as at least 64 percent of the nation’s teachers reported for duty at schools across the country. While there was a lower turnout of teachers at primary schools where the National Tests and CETT examinations were conducted, the Education Ministry said all teachers assigned to supervise the exams were present to carry out their duties, except at schools in St Patrick.

The Ministry said the absence of teachers in that district forced the rescheduling of the test to today. In Tobago, the Ministry said the test was administered in all but four schools because those schools were affected by either teacher or student absenteeism. The Ministry has assured that students who did not write the tests will be allowed to do so. However, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), Trevor Oliver, claimed that in many instances principals were reported as having to supervise the tests  with the assistance of ancillary staff, including school cleaners.

Yesterday was designated the third day of “rest and reflection” by the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), to show their disapproval with negotiations with the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO). The union did not follow up on the day’s success or failure, due to an injunction to prevent teachers from protesting. The injunction was obtained by the Minister of Labour Monday evening. Oliver told Newsday the injunction was being examined by its lawyers. He insisted though that the injunction could not affect teachers’ entitlements to their sick and occasional leave, and if any action is taken against those who may have taken leave yesterday, then it was a trampling of their democratic rights and cause for great concern. The Ministry’s release said the lowest turn out of teachers was in Port-of-Spain and environs, where 34.3 per cent of teachers turned out at primary schools. In the North Eastern Division the turn out was 56.8 percent, St Patrick 49.6 percent, South Eastern 67 percent, Caroni 66.9 percent, Victoria 67 percent and Tobago 67.7 percent. The teacher attendance at the secondary schools was well over 50 percent in most districts, except for St Patrick where it was 51.2 percent. No figures for St George East were available.

Checks by Newsday of several schools in Port-of-Spain confirmed that teacher attendance was high at both primary and secondary schools, with a few exceptions like the Diego Martin Boys’ Government, where only five out of the 22 teachers turned up for classes. In South, while the level of teacher absenteeism was high, there were reports from the San Fernando Boys’ RC, the Grant Memorial Presbyterian and the Siparia Union Presbyterian that it did not affect the tests. As for the student turn out, all primary school students, with the exception of those in Standard One and Three who took the tests, had a holiday on instructions from the Ministry.