The Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) have promised to work together to improve a number of issues plaguing the education system, including appointments, transfers, promotions, vacancies and disciplinary matters.
Speaking at a press conference at the ministry, St Clair, yesterday Education Minister Anthony Garcia described a meeting with the TSC as fruitful as he said they had pledged to try as much as possible to remove “impediments” which could hamper the re-opening of all schools in September.
Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan said the meeting was aimed at improving the administrative functions and providing training opportunities for staff. Admitting they were concerned about the inordinate delays in filling vacancies which have been existing for a long time, both Garcia and Seecharan agreed it had stymied the efforts of persons acting in the respective posts to discharge their duties properly and effectively.
Revealing that the ministry and the TSC had agreed to the formation of a special committee to arrive at a speedy resolution to some of the issues highlighted in the meeting Garcia said it was to present its recommendations in two weeks.
Referring to the decision by the previous administration to dis-establish the posts of Assistant Teacher II and Assistant Teacher III in both primary and secondary schools, Garcia said legal advice had been sought as those positions were still included on the official schedule.
Vowing to work with all stakeholders, including the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), the National Parent Teacher Association (NPTA) and the principals associations for both primary and secondary schools, Garcia admitted there were too many persons acting as deans, heads of departments, vice-principals and principals.
Asked about the delays in filling positions, Seecharan explained it was a lengthy process but the meeting had explored various ways in which such matters could be addressed in a more timely manner. With close to 16,000 teachers in the system, Garcia said the ministry and the TSC had promised to look at ways of honouring those who continued to excel at their work.
However, he admitted there were teachers who continued to ignore the TSC regulations and that an investigation had been launched into that. Adding that it was less than 100 people who were to be interviewed and investigated, Garcia said: “The number is still quite substantial.” These teachers are scattered across primary and secondary schools and come from both denominational and government institutions from the seven education districts in Trinidad.