Better salaries for early childhood teachers

Citizens for a Better TT would like to see the Ministry of Education increase the salaries of early childhood teachers. In a release yesterday the non-governmental organisation noted that while primary and secondary school teachers are demonstrating for higher wages, early childhood teachers cannot do so because they are not unionised. The group said that it was unfair not to increase the salaries of trained early childhood teachers since they are currently underpaid.

According to the statement, chairman Harrack Balramsingh, said that: “The Ministry of Education pays these teachers a monthly salary of $1600, which is three or four times less than that of a primary school teacher.” He added that although the salary was raised from $900 to $1600, it was “still too low.” As a result of the low wages, he said, many teachers are now interested in obtaining employment in the primary school system. “This cannot be good for the early childhood system because trained and competent teachers are needed to help our pre-school children,” Balramsingh said.