Caption: Dr Michael Dowlath
By Alicia Chamely
THE Ministry of Education says no labour action by teachers is warranted, and despite reports of teacher absenteeism all 143 Government and Government Assisted Early Childhood Care and Education centres remain open.
On Tuesday, it was reported that a number of teachers failed to show up for work, leaving classes unattended and forcing some schools to dismiss school early.
With numerous reports of teachers staying away from classrooms circulating online and via WhatsApp, concerned parents and members of the public began to speculate as to whether this was an organized “sick out.”
President of Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Crystal Asche released a statement to the media clarifying that TTUTA was not involved in any teacher absenteeism.
Asche said, “TTUTA had absolutely no part to play in the aforementioned development as we have always maintained that we are and always will be a responsible Association.”
Although the Ministry did not directly blame TTUTA for the absent teachers, they stated with the approval for the revision of the ratified Terms and Conditions of Employment for members of the teaching service reached between TTUTA and the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) for the period October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2023, there was “no indication that any withdrawal of labour was warranted at this time.”
“Teachers occupy a role of public trust, with responsibilities that extend beyond contractual matters to include professional, ethical, and moral obligations to students,” it added.
The Ministry stated 143 Government and Government Assisted Early Childhood Care and Education centres remain open and only 1% of Primary and Secondary Schools called for an early dismissal.
It urged parents to continue to send their children to school, stating such disturbances were a hindrance to a child’s academic progress.
The Ministry confirmed its commitment to ensure schools remained a stable, supportive, and secure environment for all students.
Minister of Education Dr Michael Dowlath stated, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding the education of our nation’s children, and we expect all stakeholders to uphold this shared responsibility.”
“I take this time to sincerely thank the many teachers who reported for duty and continue to support students’ learning, particularly during this sensitive period in the academic calendar. Your actions reflect a strong sense of professional responsibility, duty of care, and commitment to student success,” he added.
