TTUTA complains: Union not consulted on ministry policy initiatives

TTUTA president Antonia De Freitas. -
TTUTA president Antonia De Freitas. -

The TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) expressed its “disappointment” in the ministry for failing to meet with it, as the representative majority union for education professionals, before policy initiatives for the September-December term were publicised.

TTUTA met with Minister of Education Nyan Dolly-Gadsby on Thursday to discuss the reopening of schools.

In a release issued on Friday, there were more hopeful signs. TTUTA said it was committed to working with the ministry.

It proposed a joint committee between the association and the ministry should be formed to “chart the way forward.”

President of the Secondary School Principals Association Ronald Mootoo said he agreed with TTUTA on forming a joint committee with the ministry.

“That is an excellent idea,” he said. “We have had the idea over the years, but the ministry has not lived up to its side of the bargain.

“We are the practitioners and we know the ministry is the technocrat, but the practitioners need to have a say in the shaping of the ministry.”

Among the other topics discussed, TTUTA said it raised issues about methods of reporting for duty, requirements for accessing leave, non-contact time for planning and preparation by teachers, training of educators and timetabling.

TTUTA also discussed “provision in the policy plan for assessment of students before they start classes (and) the difference between clinical supervision and class checks.”

It said it proposed solutions for the issues it raised.

“TTUTA is committed to partnering with the ministry (and) commends all educators and administrators for their dedication and innovation in these uncertain times.”

TTUTA said Gadsby-Dolly "noted the association’s submissions and promised meaningful feedback in the shortest possible time,” said the statement.

It also proposed close collaboration between the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy and the Ministry of Education “to ensure equity and consistency of policy implementation."

Mootoo said collaborating with Innovation and Energy would be beneficial to the ministry.

“The ministry needs a lot of help at this time in putting down the infrastructure for the online learning. The ministry also needs to be reflective of the general needs of the society.

“Those ministries working together will only result in a symbiotic relationship that will benefit students and the country at large.”

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"TTUTA complains: Union not consulted on ministry policy initiatives"

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