“[…] school authorities have not been processing refunds for lab and other fees duly paid by students this year. They also failed to deal with the urgent and legitimate questions about obtaining accurate transcripts, timely refunds or assisting students to graduate…” The following letter to the editor about the close …
Read More »Virtual lessons in the time of Covid-19: Day in the life of a school teacher
“[…] Tutors face many challenges in this pandemic era that they possibly were not prepared for at teaching college. Most students are technologically savvy, and in the age of memes and TikTok, teachers are at risk of being ridiculed…” Today Wired868 features a secondary school visual arts teacher with more …
Read More »Dear Editor: T&T’s bureaucratic education system doesn’t reward success or punish failure
“[…] Public Education is the only industry we have in which if you do a good job, nothing good happens; and if you do a bad job nothing bad happens to you. If we do not change this fact, we will not get better schools…” The following letter to the …
Read More »Curriculum starts between 7-14 Sep with SEA results on 8 Oct, 65,000 can’t access online learning
Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly confirmed today that the school curriculum will begin between 7 and 14 September, as Trinidad and Tobago prepares to enter a phase of remote learning. Schools closed to students in March, due to the novel coronavirus, with learning since then reliant on the resources …
Read More »Health of T&T’s children and teachers at risk! TTUTA urges schools to act—if gov’t won’t
“[…] No stipend, nor high stakes examination, is worth exposing the nation’s children, teachers and the national community to the possible risks associated with the pandemic…” The following is a statement from Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) president Antonia Tekah-De Freitas, which urges the government to close schools …
Read More »Deyalsingh apologises for error in regulations, schools on course for 1 Sept restart despite Covid-19 scares
Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh said today that the nation’s schools remain on course for a 1 September restart and apologised for an error in his weekend update of the Public Health Novel Coronavirus regulations. On Saturday, Deyalsingh updated the public health ordinance with an order that all primary, secondary …
Read More »St Augustine South Primary advised to close due to Covid-19 scare, no change to SEA exam date
The St Augustine South Government Primary School (SASGPS) is set to become the latest school to shut its doors, due to a Covid-19 scare. Principal Carlene Duncan notified teachers this evening that a SASGPS student is the primary contact of a Covid-19 patient and the Ministry of Health has recommended …
Read More »Daly Bread: Bounce or bounce down; how long will govt’s Covid-19 ‘high’ last?
The prejudice thing, usually ill-concealed, is more plainly visible because members and ambassadors of the privileged classes persist in making incautious statements as they feel the heat generated by the George Floyd killing in the US. However, as the soon-come General Election 2020 is taking over the top news spot, …
Read More »TTUTA asks Education Ministry to postpone CSEC/CAPE exams, ‘counsel’ SEA students
The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) will ask Minister of Education Anthony Garcia to propose the postponement of the CSEC/Cape examinations until no earlier than four weeks after the re-commencement of school in September. The decision was taken at a TTUTA General Council meeting, which was held virtually …
Read More »SJBA: September school re-opening could affect job security of parents
“The decision to not open school until September will impact upon business and in particular female employees with children. “The San Juan Business Association (SJBA) is concerned [that] with the length of time female workers are forced to stay at home, their jobs will then become redundant…” In the following …
Read More »Education Ministry says brace for September restart, reveals online learning plans
Minister of Education Anthony Garcia revealed that school is unlikely to restart before September 2020, as the government adjusts to the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The third school term of the 2019-20 academic year was due to start on Monday 20 April but Garcia described that as ‘virtually impossible’. …
Read More »Anonymous teacher: Don’t ask about virtual teaching during vacation; and blame the ministry!
“Why are parents so upset and concerned about school work during that period?! They do not want to admit it, but they have had enough of their own angels! “And you know if there was school and no Covid-19, I bet you almost all of these same parents would not have …
Read More »