TTUTA TO MOE… PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER!

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association is dissatisfied with the attitude of the Ministry of Education (MOE) in dealing with urgent matters affecting teachers. It is our view that officials of the MOE have shown disrespect to and contempt for teachers of this nation by, on the one hand, leaving many of their issues in abeyance, whilst on the other hand pursuing others in a pell-mell fashion, ignoring the necessary steps for proper implementation.

Forms One Special

The Association laments the fact that the MOE has not displayed sufficient urgency in instituting a proper holistic programme for the students of the Forms One Special classes (product of the Universal Secondary Education implementation fiasco). Moreover, there has been little or no consultation with key players involved in the Forms One Special programme. This has led to a high level of frustration, especially among the teachers and students concerned. The provision of the necessary resources for these ‘at risk’ students must also be given greater priority by the MOE.

Arbitration at Arima Senior Comprehensive School

TTUTA is concerned that the process of arbitration at the Arima Senior Comprehensive School will come to naught. The Association has been demanding that in the period of arbitration the Principal be removed from the school and that the disciplinary procedure initiated against the nine (9) suspended teachers be put in abeyance. This was to allow for the smooth flow of the arbitration process and for normalcy to return to the school. Neither the TSC nor the MOE has met either of these demands. Instead, amazingly, and in an ostrich-like fashion, the TSC has continued with the disciplinary proceedings despite cogent arguments and pleas to the contrary by TTUTA and the MOE. Once again, the quest towards resolution of the crisis at the ASCS and a speedy return to normalcy may be seriously compromised.

Deans and Heads of Department

The Association notes that the Ministry of Education has formally initiated the introduction of the system of Heads and Deans. It however denounces the attitude of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) in making premature appointments to these positions. This in spite of the fact that consultation between TTUTA and the Ministry on issues critical to the Performance Management and Appraisal Process (PMAP), (for example, determination of the number of Heads of Department per school and the finalisation of the instrument of appraisal) has not yet been completed. TTUTA reiterates its call for the Teaching Service Commission to halt this appointment process until agreement is finalised between TTUTA and the Ministry on the various issues involved in the process. This is the only way to ensure that PMAP is properly implemented and its true benefits realised.

Upgrading of Special Teachers III to Teachers III

Special Teachers III (SPTIII’s) have been the victims of the non-implementation of an agreement made between TTUTA and the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) in the Collective Agreement negotiations 1999-2002. This would have witnessed the upgrading of suitably qualified and assessed persons in SPTIII posts to posts of TIII. The Ministry of Education is currently doing a survey aimed at determining the number and status of SPTIII’s in the secondary schools towards the establishment of additional TIII posts. However, the MOE must speed up this process and put an end to the suffering such teachers have been facing re salary and opportunities for promotion as compared to TIII’s already in the system.

Russell Latapy/IBIS High School

The Association is displeased that facilities for the students of the Russell Latapy/IBIS High School are not yet ready in spite of earlier promises by the MOE that these would be ready by the start of this term. The students and teachers are currently housed in conditions which are grossly inadequate. TTUTA views with scepticism current promises by the MOE that the new facilities in Morvant would be ready by the end of January.

Specialised Craft

TTUTA is satisfied that the MOE has developed a proposal for the rationalising (rather than the phasing out) of specialised craft education in the secondary school. The Association continues to insist that technical vocational education, including specialised craft, must remain an integral part of the education system in the secondary school, if we are to cater for the diverse learning styles of our students and the rapid advance of technology in the society. We demand the widest genuine consultation with teachers, TTUTA and other stakeholders on this proposed rationalisation. The MOE must also ensure that no unauthorised changes or phasing out of technical vocational offerings are pursued in the schools.

Increments

The Association berates the Ministry of Education for frustrating teachers through the late and/or non-payment of increments for 2002 due on January 1st, 2002. With increments for 2003 now due, TTUTA will not allow history to repeat itself in 2003. In addition to this, the Ministry has been slow to put things in place to ensure the quantification and payment of arrears of increment 1987-1995 by March 2003.

Conclusion

Teachers must not be made to suffer because of the MOE’s lethargy in ensuring that agreements are kept. TTUTA demands that the MOE put its house in order and deal urgently and comprehensively with these and other outstanding issues that will redound to the well being of teachers and of the education system. TTUTA has been very patient to date, but warns that its patience is growing thin.

The Association will not tolerate the MOE’s contempt for teachers and will not allow them to suffer any further indignities at the hands of the employer.