By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Ministry of Education has asked certain educators to report for work on Monday (yesterday) but the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) is advising against it.
However, AZPNews.com was told by an official on Tuesday that the ministry was operating with minimal staff and all education district offices remain closed to the public.
TTUTA stated on Sunday that while it was aware that the Ministry of Education issued a closure of offices, no public notices have been reissued indicating that the ministry has resumed operations.
The Ministry asked that Schedule 3 educators report to their offices, TTUTA stated.
Schedule educators are school supervisors, curriculum officers, guidance officers, special educators and school social workers.
The union reminded its members of Schedule 3 of the advice which was recently issued concerning the public health regulations.
TTUTA stated, “TTUTA does not believe that anyone’s life should be put at risk for any examination or for any task that can be done when the environment is safe for such. TTUTA advises that no member of Schedule 3 should put their health and safety at risk by visiting any office of the Ministry of Education or any school compound, to engage in any activity that could compromise their health and safety.”
On Tuesday, TTUTA’s president Antonia De Frietas told AZPNews.com that to date, the ministry has not responded to TTUTA on the clarification of its office operating hours.
The ministry’s official said the staff being asked to actually come out were those in the Finance Department and some who were associated with examinations.
The official said at no time staff was being asked to show up for office work in groups.
