NPTA welcomes teacher special treatment

She said it was “long overdue.” Ramatali said they have been having discussions on the matter for many years, agreeing that teachers should be given an incentive to work in areas like Laventille.

“We believe there should be trauma therapy for teachers, parents and students, who have direct and by extension the community, where there is crime at the highest level.

Children and teachers are traumatised, and sometimes teachers act on the first opportunity to be transferred out,” Ramatali said.

“If we can give teachers a special allowance to work in areas like Laventille it certainly will make a difference.

We are also concerned about the teaching and learning so there is need for the social intervention as well. There need to be a greater collaboration between the principal, teachers and the parents, and with the aim of having strong PTAs as the Prime Minster alluded to at the launch of the School Improvement Project last week Saturday.” Ramatali added that she was very pleased to be present at the launch to hear the Prime Minister speaking out about strengthening the PTAs which, she said, the association has been advocating for far too long.

“We need that community intervention, and we also need teachers to have a different mind set toward the children who come from those areas.

Teachers must believe that they are the key to make children together with the parents’ involvement successful and be well-rounded citizens of the country.” Ramatali said she trust that principals of these schools will set the tone.

She also wants to see principals exhibit a loving and caring attitude to ensure that students in that environment feel a sense of belonging.

She said the PTA will support the initiative and is hoping that they can be a part of the project to ensure its success and to see it roll out in other communities across the country.