TTUTA Tobago: covid19 school policy needed

KINNESHA GEORGE-HARRY

TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Tobago officer Bradon Roberts says a more in-depth collaboration on the threat of coronavirus is necessary at the levels of schools.

Speaking with Newsday on Thursday, Roberts said he is aware of circulars issued daily by the Ed­u­ca­tion Min­istry in Trinidad, keeping the school population informed of what steps can be taken to protect oneself, but he is yet to hear from the Tobago Education Division.

“In terms of the Division of Education having any other policy in place, there has been none. They have not reached out to TTUTA, they have not yet issued anything to the principals.

“We would need to have a more in-depth collaboration, especially with the division, in ensuring that the schools are sanitised even more regularly at this time and to establish a set policy,” he said.

Chief among his concerns is the inadequate provision of handsoaps and toiletries for use by the students.

“The schools have been receiving less than they should be getting. Some schools have these items outstanding for a period of time, where they have to use the funds from their own school to try and purchase these items,” he said.

In the interim, Roberts said personal attention must be given to hygiene.

“For now, we all have the responsibility to ensure that we do the necessary in terms of our hygiene. I think the responsibility is on all of us to ensure that our hygiene is at the maximum to avoid contracting the coronavirus,” he said.

Kelvin Charles, Secretary of Education, Innovation and Energy could not be reached for comment, as calls to his cellphone went unanswered.