What about delinquent teachers, TTUTA?

THE EDITOR: Mr Trevor Oliver returned to the presidency of Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) for his second term by a landslide. Out of 10,800 teachers registered to vote, 8,100 exercised their voting rights. Oliver had to fight off three challengers, the strongest from Valance Rambharat 2,663 votes to Oliver’s 4,914. The rest of Oliver’s slate won by more than 1,200 votes. Since he was back in office, the country expected a higher level of professionalism from his members. Without a doubt, the quality of education from primary to secondary has plummeted from the mid 60s. Half a century ago when someone pursued education up to seventh standard, it was the equivalent to today’s “O” levels. Such was the quality of education then.

That came about because of the dedication and application of teachers. Teachers who came from that era used to visit homes to living out students who absented themselves for vague reasons. Teachers today are shirking their responsibilities and abuse the days-off facility. Trevor Oliver has been doing a lot for his membership in terms of remuneration, conditions of service, scholarships and so on. Job said teachers were the driving force behind the fulfilment of vision 2020. Ok, let us say it is time for teachers to be paid salaries consistent with their contributions to national development. But what is TTUTA doing about delinquent teachers, like those who stay away from the job on a regular basis and contribute to the low performance of students. Those who go to work but do precious little. Some teachers hide behind religion — staying away from school to prepare for Divali, and some are masquerading as pundits preoccupied with pujas.

I know for sure there are dedicated teachers who go the extra mile to provide quality education. But the bad eggs and poor quality teachers are pervading like a plague. The Government is bending backwards to provide further, and advanced education for teachers. When teachers return with all their qualifications, however, do they return to their third form class to impart the quality education for which Government paid? No, they all want is a promotion to administrative posts. TTUTA’s President Trevor Oliver was a good teacher, but when his second term expires will he be willing to return to his classes at the Tunapuna school from where he came? TTUTA’s next general election is imminent. And there is always a bunch of good teachers ready to run for office leaving their classes behind, and that is part of the scenario. We need an Education Minister with a firm hand, focus and determination to deal with a nation of rebellious kids and remould the teaching service.

A R JORDAN
Manzanilla