TTUTA: Good first day

THE Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) yesterday said from all reports it received, the first day of the new school term went smoothly. President, Trevor Oliver, told Newsday that while several schools had orientation for incoming Form Ones and special Principal’s holidays, the hundreds of other primary and secondary schools which re-opened for all of their students, operated smoothly. Oliver said the union was “generally satisfied with the work of the Ministry of Education” for the new term, but “there is always room for improvement.”

“We like what we saw. In some cases the children have been given better facilities and we applaud the approach of the Ministry, but we want to see a more collaborative approach and we intend to work to ensure the system is operating efficiently.” Oliver said TTUTA was however urging the ministry to keep its promise to have clerical staff appointed to primary schools, since it was critical to ensuring Principals had more time to supervise teachers and ensure better education for the nation’s children. He said the issue of security at schools must also be a priority together with student centred learning.

Oliver said TTUTA felt strongly that the “revolution of the education system must go full speed ahead,” and while teachers were happy with their salary agreement, they were pledging to “work with all the verve and vigour to ensure the students get the best education.” He said they would criticise constructively when the need arises, and at the same time “not encourage any kind of back sliding of the minority of teachers. “We feel there is no place for that and they either have to reform or find some other place to work.” He stressed that teacher training will be part of the reform for delinquent teachers. Oliver said during the coming term the union will also be starting negotiations on several issues with the ministry, namely terms and conditions for master teachers, a health plan for teachers and additional compensation for teachers with additional qualifications.