On Monday, teachers responded to the call of the Trinidad and Tobago United Teachers Association (TTUTA) not to attend school on the first day of the 2022-2023 school year.
TTUTA called for observance of a day of rest and reflection in light of an offer of a four per cent salary increase by the personnel manager.
The Ministry of Education noted that the teacher participation rate was 27% in primary schools and 31% in secondary schools.
Student participation was comparable in government and faith-based schools at the primary and secondary levels.
Overall, the student participation rate at the primary level was 17% compared to 39% among secondary level students.
In faith-based primary schools, teacher and student attendance was 28% and 20% respectively, while the corresponding attendance in public schools was 24% and 12% respectively.
In denominational secondary schools, attendance of teachers and students was 47% and 68% respectively, while the corresponding attendance in public schools was 25% and 26% respectively.
The ministry noted that the results of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEE) in particular proved the importance of students returning to physical classes.
A statement read: “The results of our standardized terminal exams, SEA to a greater extent than CSEC and CAPE, show that there is a lot of work to be done at all levels during this academic year, which continues until to July 7, 2023, and a lot of ground to catch up. »
To this end, the ministry said that the collaboration and cooperation of parents, students, teachers and all stakeholders are key to recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education system.
“As our students continue their educational journey tomorrow, Tuesday, September 6, 2022, let us all work towards one goal: the development of citizens who will lead Trinidad and Tobago on a successful trajectory towards achieving Vision 2030,” said the Ministry. concluded.
