ryan.bachoo@cnc3.co.tt
The Teaching Service Commission (TSC), Ministry of Education (MoE) and the denominational boards have agreed to continue discussions regarding several issues, including the now contentious teacher recruitment process.
The parties met yesterday at the TSC’s office in Port-of-Spain to discuss this and other issues related to the education system.
Speaking to Guardian Media afterwards, chair of the Association of Denominational Boards, Sharon Mangroo, said, “There was an opportunity for people to speak and the commission was able to present their plan and they were very clear on what their plan is. Several heads of the denominational boards were able to give some of their input and at the end of it, we were able to air several of the issues.”
The meeting took place in the wake of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) threatening legal action against the TSC for changing the method by which teachers are recruited for denominational schools.
SDMS lawyer Kiel Taklalsingh, in correspondence on January 19, claimed the ministry and commission acted illegally when they introduced the policy that fundamentally differs from the traditional process under the Concordat, which has governed the relationship between denominational school boards since before Independence.
Taklalsingh claimed that prior to the introduction of the policy late last year, people interested in joining the teaching service would first have to register with the ministry and obtain a teaching registration number.
Mangroo, who also sits as chair of the Catholic Education Board of Management, told Guardian Media that while there are some issues all parties can agree on, others are still outstanding.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of compromising at this point. It depends on what we are compromising on. As I said, the general vision is what we all agree on. Most aspects of the proposal are very good but there are one or two areas that are legal and at this point, the less said about it the better,” she said.
Mangroo added, “One of the issues coming up is settling around some legal matters and one has to be explored further. However, I think we are all in agreement with the vision of the TSC and MoE in having our schools staffed by competent teachers and having our vacancies filled promptly.”
She said the meeting was very cordial.
“There is some optimism that we will be able to continue discussions and particularly the minister is very interested in being open and frank.”