Attendance:
- Primary Schools – 17% pupils, 27% teachers; and
- Secondary schools – 29% pupils, 31% teachers.
By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE majority of teachers did not show up for duty in many of the nation’s schools on the first day of the new academic year.
The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) followed through on its day of “rest and reflection” in protest action against the Government’s 4% increase wage offer.
The Ministry of Education provided statistics on the teacher and pupil turnout for Monday.
This is the first academic year since 2019/20 that all pupils were returning to classes physically.
Based on data received from the Division of School Supervision, at primary schools, there was attendance of 16,819 or 17% pupils and 1,392 or 27% teachers.
At denominational primary schools, the teacher and pupil attendance was 28% and 20% respectively, while the corresponding attendance at government schools was 24% and 12% respectively.
At secondary schools, there were attendance of 28,738 or 39% pupils and 1,851 or 31% teachers.
At denominational secondary schools, the teacher and pupil attendance was 47% and 68% respectively, while the corresponding attendance at government schools was 25% and 26% respectively.
The ministry stated, “The return of our students to the physical classroom is a critical milestone, and its importance cannot be overstated… The cooperation and collaboration between parents, students, teachers, administrators, staff and executive of the Ministry of Education, and all stakeholders is paramount for the transformation of our education system, and our recovery from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic experience.”
The ministry asked that as school continue on Tuesday, that everyone work with one purpose, to take Trinidad and Tobago towards the realization of Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Education again wished all students, teachers and principals a productive academic year 2022/23.
