Education Minister assures teachers
Monday, 06 February 2012
By Oprah Francis
The Minister of Education is assuring teachers of the government’s early childhood care centres that their concerns will be addressed.
The assurances come after the disgruntled group staged a demonstration outside the Ministry of Education today.
The teachers claim they have been given month to month contracts to the sum of five thousand dollars, but some of those contracts have not been renewed since April last year.
This morning, the teachers got the support of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA).
TTUTA’s general secretary, Peter Wilson said while his union is not able to represent the teachers, there is an obligation to help.
His association feels obligated to help.
Following the protest this morning, Education Minister, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh assured steps will be taken to address the concerns of the teachers.
He said the Prime Minister would want him to handle the situations, since early childhood education is one of her priorities.
The Education Minister also had to intervene to quell another situation involving the authorities at the college run by the Jamaat Al Muslimeen.
For several years the Mucurapo Islamic College has been seeking the ministry’s support.
This morning, there was another demand for equity.
Operators at the school want it to be listed among the country’s assisted institutions.
Speaking with the media about the situation today, Minister Gopeesingh said he has held talks with the school authorities.
He said a note will go to cabinet this week to help treat with the concerns.
The school which is on the compound of the Jamaat, houses must than three hundred students and twenty teachers.
Meanwhile TTUTA’s second vice president, Orville Carrington who was also at the demonstration believes the teachers must be afforded the same conditions as regular teachers.
The protesting teachers and TTUTA are now meeting with Minister in the Ministry of Education, Clifton De Coteau.
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