No substitute teachers programme yet

A substitute teacher cannot be sent to the Bourg Mulatresse RC School, San Juan, because the substitute teachers programme is not yet is place. Additionally, nothing can be done about the teacher who has been continually absent, unless an investigation is carried out, according to the Ministry of Education. The absence of a Standard Three teacher is frustrating parents of children attending the class in the lower Santa Cruz school. The problem has existed all of last term and continued on the second day of this school term, which began on Monday. The parents have also requested a replacement teacher. One upset and frustrated parent, Paula Elwin, is now trying to get her son transferred from the school, but that is also very difficult as there are no available spaces in nearby schools.

Communications specialist at the ministry, Mervyn Critchlow, told Newsday  that the matter had to be investigated before any disciplinary action could be taken against the teacher. He said recommendations could then be made to the ministry. However, he assured that the ministry would look into the matter. Sr Catherine McComie of the Catholic Education Board, with responsibility for primary schools, had said that the board was aware of the problem and was investigating. On the issue of a replacement or substitute teacher, Critchlow reminded Newsday that Education Minister Hazel Manning had announced in January that the substitute teachers programme was expected to come on stream in September.

At a post-Cabinet press conference, Manning had announced that the programme would cost $12.6 million a year with $2.4 million going to capital expenditure and $10 million going toward recurrent expenditure (salaries). She had explained then that retirees and housewives would be eligible to apply to be a part of the pool of substitute teachers, and principals would be able to access the pool if the teacher would be absent on a short-term basis, extended sick leave or maternity leave.

Manning said the district officers would be responsible for paying the teachers, who would have to sign a contract, although they would be free to decide not to accept the offer. But that was not the first time the programme was mentioned. Exactly three years ago, former permanent secretary in the ministry, Jennifer Sampson, had announced that the programme was due to begin in 2003. She said approval had already been obtained for the programme and the ministry was looking at the precise measures that should be in place.