430 clerical staffers get jobs in primary schools

This was revealed yesterday by Education Minister, Dr Tim Gopeesingh at a press conference at his St Clair office. He explained that 5,000 applications were received by his ministry, “3,000 were short-listed and the first selection would take up duty later this week.”

Gopeesingh earlier said that Cabinet was not satisfied with the Performance Management Appraisal System for clerical officers at primary schools. As a result, a decision was taken, not to renew the contracts of clerical officers when they expired last year.

He said Cabinet was not satisfied that appraisals were done by principals and supervisors of the schools.

This resulted in protest action by former clerical officers last year, as they called the non-renewal of their contracts “unfair”.

Cherry Ann Kirton, President of the primary school’s clerical officers, explained last year that most of the 450 displaced clerical officers had spent six years in the service. The officers’ posts were advertised and those who were the incumbents were given the opportunity to re-apply for their positions.

Gopeesingh also announced yesterday that 64 administrative and teaching staff would be hired this week for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Centres. He explained that 34 administrative/teachers and 30 teachers were hired. Gopeesingh said interviews for the new teachers were conducted in November and December last year.

Gopeesingh admitted yesterday that supervision of schools was a “weak point” in the education sector at this time.

“We do not have a Director of School Supervision as the person was removed from office by the former administration,” Gopeesingh said.

He said the removal had resulted in “a lot of problems” but assured that the ministry was working on dealing with the issue.