Tobago teacher wins against TSC

Alberta Alexander, 52, a teacher for the past 27 years, gets another chance at an interview before the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). When she applied for the job, there were three vacancies in Tobago. Now that she has won the right for another crack at the job, there are no vacancies.

Alexander, a mother of five, was acting principal at the Moriah Government Primary School for three years. She holds a BA in Administration and had three years experience in administration.

In 2002, she applied to the TSC for the post of principal in September which was vacant at the Moriah, Buccoo and Patience Hill Government Primary Schools.

Of all the candidates, Alexander contended that she was the most qualified. The Commission’s representatives went to Tobago in December 2002 and conducted interviews. Alexander was among the candidates interviewed.

When the results were announced, Alexander was left out and reverted to Teacher I. Claudia Benjamin was appointed to Moriah; Karen Boatswain to Patience Hill, and Ronald Duke to Buccoo.

Alexander who teaches second year infants at the Castara Government School, consulted her lawyers and filed for judicial review in 2004. Her case was taken up by Israel Khan SC, Keith Scotland, and Larry Lalla, who becomes a temporary judge next week. State attorney Ann Marie Rambaran appeared for the TSC.

Yesterday, a consent judgment was entered before Justice Mustapha Ibrahim in the Port-of-Spain First Civil Court. The court ordered that Alexander’s application for the post of principal be remitted to the TSC for reconsideration.

The court also awarded costs fit for senior and junior counsel.

Following the judgment, Alexander told Newsday that the decision of the TSC to bypass her demoralised her. She said she lost some of her self esteem as she realised there was no fairness in the system. Alexander said she was victimised. (See Page 9).

Alexander said she was encouraged not to give up. "I am committed to teaching the nation’s children, especially in the sister isle."

Alexander said when she was acting as principal, "we had a good thing going, there was a strong PTA, and then I was reverted to teacher I. I was really thinking of giving up. I want to thank my attorneys for the legal experience and expertise to get me where I am today," Alexander added.