Teachers’ union seeks more talks on reopening of schools

The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) says it is disappointed by the absence of a position from the Minister of Education on the physical reopening of schools.

In an advisory to members on Friday, the organisation said it expected to hear the ministry's position during a stakeholder meeting.

"TTUTA attended in the spirit and intent to have meaningful consultation. But the minister, sadly, had nothing to contribute to this process.

“TTUTA went on to suggest a rescheduling of this meeting to facilitate meaningful consultation which can only be achieved by both parties bringing their thoughts to the table for discussion and in the spirit of a mutual agreement in the interest of all.

“We stressed that such meaningful consultation can only happen when both sides are privy to each other’s position or thoughts on the subject matter."

During the meeting, TTUTA expressed numerous concerns it had with the recent physical reopening of schools for secondary school students in forms four, five and six.

The association’s concerns included, what they consider, ineffective protocols when covid19 cases are discovered in schools, the lack of standardised cleaning protocols among all schools, and the expectations of teachers if they are quarantined when cases arise at their schools.

TTUTA said with little being achieved at the meeting, it was suggested to Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly to reschedule to a date when she would be “willing to make her thoughts clear” on the issues.

“We stressed that such meaningful consultation can only happen when both sides are privy to each other’s position or thoughts on the subject matter.

“TTUTA suggested a timeframe to reschedule this meeting for the purpose of meaningful consultation and the minister gave the commitment to reschedule.”

Contacted for comment, Gadsby-Dolly directed Newsday to a news release which the Ministry of Education issued after the meeting.

In its release, the ministry said it made note of TTUTA’s concerns about the protocols in place when covid19 cases are detected in schools, and the sanitisation of schools.

It added, “The Ministry of Education advanced clarification on these matters and expressed that emphasis will be paid on supporting school personnel through the collaboration between the Education District Health Unit and the District County Medical Office of Health.”

The release said ministry officials will again meet with TTUTA in the next two weeks.

Apart from Thursday’s bilateral meeting, TTUTA took part in another meeting on Friday between Gadsby-Dolly and several other education stakeholders including the Principals’ Association, denominational school boards, Special Schools Association, private schools associations and the National Parent Teacher Association.

During that meeting, which included Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris- Julian, stakeholders made recommendations for the opening of the new term in January.

In a release after the meeting, the ministry said the stakeholders expressed satisfaction that forms four to six students are attending school physically.

But the ministry said it also noted the concerns of the stakeholders as it relates to the challenges schools have with managing covid19-related matters when positive cases arise.

The ministry said stakeholders recommended that standard five students also be allowed to attend school physically.