TTUTA: 60 percent of teachers absent

THE Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) yesterday reported that 60 percent of the nation’s teachers stayed away from classes in its second day of “rest and reflection.” However the Ministry of Education reported a much lower percentage of absenteeism. Based on the figures from TTUTA, there was a 12 percent drop in absenteeism from the first day of “R&R” on June 7, when 72 percent of teachers stayed away from classes. The third “R&R” day is scheduled to come off on Tuesday, the same day the Ministry of Education has scheduled National Tests for primary school students in Mathematics and Language Arts.

TTUTA president Trevor Oliver yesterday said the most favourable response came from the St Patrick division, where 76 percent of teachers stayed away from classes. This was followed by Caroni with 75 percent, St George East 60 percent, South Eastern 55 percent, Tobago 52 percent, Port-of-Spain 50 percent and Victoria 45 percent. TTUTA did not have the response from teachers in the Northeastern district. The Ministry’s comparison showed that in South Eastern there was a 33.4 percent absence among teachers, with 9.66 percent in Victoria, 35.6 percent in Caroni, 23.55 percent in Port-of-Spain, 18.2 percent in Northeastern and 48.4 percent in St Patrick. Figures for Tobago and St George East were unavailable. Oliver said the union saluted those teachers who “reflected” and will “rely on their continued cooperation in this fight for bread and justice.”

Oliver also reiterated that teachers should not be intimidated by threats from the Ministry. Permanent Secretary Angela Jack issued a second warning to teachers on Thursday, the day hundreds of teachers joined their union representatives in a solidarity march in San Fernando. Jack reminded teachers of the definition of “industrial action” under the Industrial Relations Act (IRA). The Ministry also advised that steps will be taken to institute disciplinary proceedings against teachers who take more “occasional leave” than provided for, or without the necessary approval.

Meanwhile, the Ministry yesterday thanked all teachers who disregarded the “reckless and irresponsible” call to “abandon the nation’s children and break the law” by TTUTA. In the same breath, it assured that everything was in place for Tuesday’s National Tests in Mathematics and Language Arts. The Ministry’s release  reminded teachers of the tests, which it said were “critical assessment tools” that provide the Ministry and schools with data. The Ministry said the data reveals factors which may affect student performance, and would support the design of policies and programmes to improve teaching and learning in primary schools.

Addressing teachers at a solidarity march on Thursday in San Fernando, Oliver “called off the tests,” saying if the Ministry was concerned about the exams, they must do the right thing and provide adequate compensatory packages for the nation’s teachers. Oliver also advised that the union could not ensure there will be classes next week or if teachers would take an early vacation. School is scheduled to close on July 9. Tuesday has been designated by TTUTA as a third day of “R&R” for teachers. The teachers’ actions are meant to convey to the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) their dissatisfaction with the offer made, as negotiations continue for the collective agreement for the 2002/2005 period.