Coup report to be included in educational institutions: PM Kamla

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said on Friday the report of the Commission of Enquiry into the failed 1990 Muslimeen coup would become an important part of the education system in the country.
 
"It is the fervent wish of my Government and I that citizens everywhere will take the opportunity to read and study this Report on the Parliament website.

"It now represents a fundamental contribution to our history and provides answers to many questions which have plagued us all over the past twenty three years.

"We all now have an opportunity to put the 1990 Coup into its perspective, to understand some of the salient factors which impacted on its hatching and execution, to dispel and reject the innuendoes and patent falsehoods, and ascertain the true facts, to acknowledge, recognise and honour the heroes of that experience including the brave men and women of our protective services, the Parliament, the media and other citizens of this country and to remember the fallen, while at the same time completely rejecting the notion that the attempted Coup and its proponents were noble and honourable.

"This Report must serve to reinforce a national commitment to the firm unwavering principles of democracy and national honour to which we universally subscribe.

"This Commission of inquiry benefited enormously from vast public support. Many persons were anxious to appear before the Commission and to give pertinent evidence. Others chose to submit detailed reports and supporting documents.

"And we thank all those who came forward.

"This overwhelming citizen participation ensured that the Commissioners became fully seized and possessed of vital information and pertinent data which collectively and comprehensively served to inform and underpin detailed review and analysis leading to the production of a most incisive and far reaching summary of this sordid experience.

"Mr. Speaker, this Report, a credit to Sir David and all those who worked tirelessly towards its completion, despite some serious setbacks and utter frustration, including the noted non-appearance at the Enquiry of a key proponent in this matter - and I add at this time I was heartened to read today that Sir David said that this absence, though regretted for the sake of completeness, did not compromise the integrity of the exercise.

"This Report must go beyond mere study, mere scholarship, mere education and information, mere provision of final and substantial answers to long standing and nagging questions, it must serve to provide tangible lessons for the People of Trinidad and Tobago, with the objective of ensuring that such a grievous and heinous assault on our democracy must never happen again.

"Some of the descriptions are understandably stark and graphic. But they are real and factual.

"The Report refers to ‘sitting MP’s being victims of unspeakable indignities’, of the wanton acts of destruction of our venerable Parliamentary chamber in the historic Red House, it reminds us that our Honourable Prime Minister at the time, Mr. A N R Robinson, and his Minister of National Security, Mr. Selwyn Richardson were singled out, badly beaten and then shot in their legs.

"It highlights the widespread looting and wilful arson of public and private buildings causing losses of millions of dollars. It draws the picture of our Capital City devastated.

"This Report therefore must have fundamental and far reaching impact on our citizenry.

"It must serve to reinforce the supremacy of law and order, of peaceful electoral transitions, highlight and reemphasise our abiding respect for the noble traditions and values enshrined in our constitution. It must contribute to our continuing nation building, with direct influence on our young people as they prepare to assume leadership roles in the future...

"I am pleased to announce...that this morning I held discussions with our Minister of Education, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, that his Ministry should put together a team to translate this Report into a distilled but effective Educational Work Study programme," she told legislators.

"It would include a summary of the facts, a discussion Guide and a covering Teacher’s Guide so that our students, particularly those in the senior forms of our secondary schools, could review this chapter in our history, now with the additional information, facts and studied analysis from this Report.

"I have also asked Dr. Gopeesingh and Senator Fazal Karim, Minister of Tertiary Education to communicate with the principal of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, our Law Faculty at St. Augustine, as well as COSTATT and other institutions of learning to examine how some period of study can be allocated to enable students of these institutions to formally facilitate discussion and review.

"I note that the availability of the Report on the internet will add a further dimension to such a discussion by citizens and I have no doubt that our population will find enlightening, such an opportunity to engage in meaningful and objective review and analysis of this critical chapter in our history."

Read the report: http://www.ttparliament.org/documents/rptcoe1990.pdf

Commentary: Politicians and the media: a relationship of convenience

Keith Rowley is right. The Panday administration was hostile to the media and was opposed to Barbadian journalist Julian Rogers who had an obvious bias against the government.

Panday even pushed the Guardian to fire Jones P. Madeira for writing a commentary titled "Chutney Rising". And Panday faced legal action and had to pay compensation to Ken Gordon.

But the bill before the Parliament that the PNM is not supporting has nothing to do with Panday or the Panday administration. The present government includes the UNC but the party is no longer led by or influenced by Panday and it is trying to give media greater freedom.

So while the opposition leader is accurate with his historical facts, raising them is irrelevant because Panday is nowhere in the picture.

What this government, led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar, is doing is giving greater protection for the media to do their job. And the issue is not who had a love-hate relationship with the media more than a decade ago, it is who is protecting the media today.

The government has kept its promise to remove criminal libel from Libel and Defamation Act, which means that libel would no longer carry a prison sentence or criminal record. However the Act would still make it an offence for publication or broadcast of libel or slander if the reporter or media knowingly commit the offence.

The amendment protects the media while at the same time reiterates the need for responsible journalism.

The PNM claims it is supportive of a free media but at the same time it opposes the amendment. So the question is WHY?

One PNM member said it is "dangerous" to do it and suggested that the Act should be retained. The compromise he offered is to take out the prison component.

The records would show that the PNM has a history of hostility to the media and it would seem that the reason they want to leave the act as it is is simply because it is a gun to the media's head. It sends a message that they could "deal with you" if necessary.

Remember it was Colm Imbert who called on PNMites to "deal with TV6" for its reporting during the 2010 general election. That led to the PNM-friendly media house filing a complaint to the police.

Tim Gopeesingh raised other instances of PNM hostility saying the Manning administration had used state intimidation against the media, citing examples from the way the government reacted to reporting by the Newsday newspaper. 

Some of what Gopeesingh raised are facts that are easily verifiable: 

• An attack on Suzanne Mills for writing a column that was critical of Manning's move to take Parliament out of the Red House
• Denying Newsday access to a media conference during the Summit of the Americas in 2009
• Banning reporter Andre Bagoo from the Parliament; assaulting Bagoo
• Hauling Newsday editor-in-chief Therese Mills before Parliament’s Privileges Committee

There are other instances such as the time Manning rushed from San Fernando to Port of Spain with his full security detail to personally make a complaint at a radio station about a broadcast by two on-air commentators. When Manning faced criticism from people like media icon Ken Gordon for what was a clear act of intimidation against the media Manning boldly stated that he would do it again "if the spirit moves me".

Then there was the incident of threatening reporters who went to do a story on the church at the heights of Guanapo. 

The present government is also on record as being critical of the media. When the Guardian fabricated a story about a cabinet minister, including quotes from the minister, it faced a barrage of criticism. And at a political meeting the prime minister also spoke of the need for media to contain their "rouge" reporters.

The fact is every government would like to have media advance their agenda and in Trinidad and Tobago there is a fair amount of biased reporting.

Still the present government is determined to give the media its due and ensure that it creates an environment where all media could operate freely without fear of victimisation or intimidation. At the same time it is protecting the public.

The PM is on record as praising the media for keeping the government on its toes and has also recognised the media as the guardians of democracy. And she is walking the talk by pushing this amendment.

The PNM, as an alternative government, is missing the boat on this issue. Instead of acting responsibly and supporting a free media it wants to keep a mechanishm to keep the media in check.

That is something the media needs to note because the signal is that although some media would love nothing better than to see a PNM government back in office the PNM is not a friend of the media. And it is nothing new. The party's founder burned the Guardian in Woodford Square because he felt the paper's coverage caused his party to lose the federal election in 1958. George Chambers called on supporters to attack a television crew that was prevented from covering a PNM political meeting in 1986.

The PNM's behaviour in parliament on this bill makes it very clear that the party wants to keep media on a short leash. The records show that Rowley lied when he said when the PNM is in power, anybody could say or do anything.

Jai parasram - 25 Jan. 2014

Voters back Kamla's decision to hold LGE on time

A poll by the the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) states that voters in Trinidad overwhelmingly support the decision by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to hold the Local Government Election (LGE) on time.

There had been speculation that the PM would postpone the vote but she insisted that it must be held when constitutionally due because of a pledge she had made to voters.

Pollster Visnu Bisram told JYOTI 90 per cent of respondents "saluted" Persad-Bissessar for "respecting electoral democracy and called the elections when due".

Bisram said he interviewed 425 voters representing the demographics of the country.

The poll, which has a four per cent margin of error, also supported the government's plan for electoral reform, including the amendment to the Municipal Corporations Act to introduce Proportional representation to elect aldermen for the councils. 

However Bisram said a majority of voters said they don't fully understand how the PR system would work. The support for PR was: 54% in favour, 26 against and 20 percent not sure.

NACTA also surveyed voters on their preferences for members of cabinet, rating their level of performance.

The poll said the best performing ministers are Roodal Moonilall, Vasanth Bharath, Errol McLeod,  Fazal Karim, Glenn Ramadharsingh, Lincoln Douglas, Rudy Indarsingh, Suruj Rambachan, Fuad Khan, Clifton DeCoteau, and Tim Gopeesingh.

The top three performers, according to Nacta, are Moonilal (19%), Bharath (17%) and Ramadharsingh (16%).

Minister tells parents don't pay fees to register children in schools

File: Tim Gopeesingh

Minister of Education Tim Gopeesingh stated on Wednesday that no one should be paying fees to schools to register their children and advised parents to refuse to pay any money if schools demand it.

Gopeesingh made the comments to principals when he met with them at at Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre (RCLRC), Mc Bean, Couva.

He noted that one parent complained about a school in north Trinidad asking parents to pay as much as $1000 for registration.

The minister said no one has to pay fees because the government takes care of all the financial needs of schools.

“The country has been plagued by parents who are socio-economically deprived having to pay fees at the time of registration of their children into Form One into these schools...This is untenable,” Gopeesingh told reporters.

He insisted that the ministry will enforce the no-fee policy. He said principals of government schools receive budgets ranging from $750,000 to $1.5 million annually and insisted that "the poor parents should not have to pay any money whatsoever for their child to be admitted into their schools." 

He added, "We want to make that publicly known to all parents. Anybody who is experiencing difficulty must report that to the Ministry of Education, so that action can be taken.” Gopeeesingh said education in free and the government won't allow anyone to charge “exorbitant fees implemented in an arbitrary manner.” 

Privileges Committee meets Monday to discuss Rowley

The Privileges Committee of Parliament will hold its first meeting on Monday at 10.30 a.m. to deal with the matter of Opposition Leader Keith Rowley.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar asked Speaker Wade Mark at the end of the opposition no confidence motion in the government refer Rowley to the committee for allegedly misleading Parliament. Mark agreed that a prima facie case against Rowley had been made and agreed to the request. 

Rowley presented to the Parliament e-mails he claimed were exchanged among the Prime Minister, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, Local Government Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan and National Security adviser to the PM Gary Griffith.

All of them have denied they sent the emails, which they have called fabrications. Persad-Bissessar has referred them to the police for investigation.

The Opposition leader has called for an independent investigation saying he has no confidence in Deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson, who is leading the probe.

The members of the Privileges Committee are:

1. Chairman—Wade Mark
2. Dr Tim Gopeesingh
3. Dr Roodal Moonilal
4. Prakash Ramadhar
5. Rodger Samuel
6. Chandresh Sharma
7. Donna Cox
8. Paula Gopee-Scoon
9. Colm Imbert

Challenging Times Ahead for PP Government: NACTA poll

The Peoples Partnership Government faces a challenging time in the
remainder of its term in office as people express disappointment with
the government to meet their other expectations. 

That's the finding of a poll conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association over the last several days. NACTA interviewed 490 people

reflecting the demographics of the population. The poll, coordinated by Vishnu Bisram, has a four per cent margin of error.

One of the issues the poll checked was the no confidence motion in the government debated last week in Parliament.

NACTA asked respondents if they supported the latest No Confidence Motion based on email allegations against the Prime Minister. A clear majority of 51 per cent said NO with 31 per cent supporting the motion. 

The other question was whether respondents believe the allegations. Only 26 per cent said YES. 49 per cent did not and 25 per cent were not sure. NACTA said Government supporters said the email episode is a hoax while opposition supporters said they have credibility. 

With respect to the PM's handling of the matter, NACTA said 53 per cent of those polled said they approved of the way she handled it by immediately referring it to the police for an investigation.

NACTA also asked about the government's performance. A majority of 52 per cent said they don't approve of the Government's performance while 29 per cent said they approve. 

However when asked about the PM's personal performance the approval figure went up to 45 per cent with a disapproval rating of 38 per cent. The PM got high marks for holding the PP coalition together and for addressing mistakes her government made.

NACTA also asked if Jack Warner should be allowed to contest the Chaguanas West Seat as a UNC candidate. Supporters of UNC overwhelmingly backed Warner for the seat; 45 per cent of respondents said yes and 38 didn't think he should get the nod.

How do the ministers fare? This is what NACTA found:

1. Vasanth Bharath (Trade 21%)
2. Fazal Karim (Tertiary Education 17%)
3. Dr. Glenn Ramadharsingh (Peoples 15%)
4. Dr. Roodal Moonilal (Housing 13%)
5. Dr. Suruj Rambachan (Local Government 5%)
6. Dr. Fuad Khan (Health 4%)
7. Dr. Tim Gopeesingh (Education 4%)

The government Achilles heel apprears to be crime. NACTA said 78 per cent of respondents said they don't have confidence in the government’s handling of  crime, which is rated as the number one problem by 71 per cent of the respondents.

UNC activist falls ill in Parliament gallery

Patsy falls ill in Parliament

Debate in Parliament was halted for 15 minutes Wednesday when prominent UNC activist Patsy Lezama fell ill in the public gallery.

It happened just before six in the evening while Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was speaking.

Persad-Bissessar paused and asked Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh to assist. Gopeesingh, who is a medical doctor, provided first aid while an ambulance was on the way. The PM and other MPs went to Patsy's side to offer assistance. 

An ambulance arrived shortly after and it took the patient to the Port of Spain General Hospital.

Maths question stumps students writing SEA

Prayers before exams

Children writing the annual Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination Thursday ran into an unexpected math problem. One of the questions on the exam paper was about a moth problem that was not on the syllabus, some principals said.

That caused a lot of trauma for many students, who had were unable to answer the question.

Lynsley Doodhai, pre­sident of the National Primary Schools Principals’ Association (NAPSPA), issued a media re­lease about the problem.

Doodhai stated: “Principals have complained to NAPSPA that question number 35 of the mathematics paper was based on the topic ‘Proportion and Ratio’, a topic that is no longer on the primary school mathematics syllabus, having been removed many years ago. This question carries a weighting of three marks out of a total score of 100 marks.”

Doodhai reported that principals said some children began crying during the 30-minute break between the mathematics and language arts papers. He added that some pupils were unable to finish the ma­th­e­matics paper and “their emotional well-being was disturbed for the language arts paper that followed the mathematics paper”.

Reporters attending Thursday's post cabinet media briefing asked Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar about the problem. She said: "I would really want to have my Minister of Education brief me before I can make any informed statement on that matter. I do sympathise and I hope that that matter can be resolved. So I will take it to the Minister of Education."

Education Minister Tim Gopeesingh told the state media he learned about the matter through media reports from several phone calls to the Ministry's Communication Department from concerned parents and teachers. He promised to meet with the Technical Officers of the Ministry of Education on Friday to see how best they can resolve the matter with CXC.

Community News: Oropouche West gets library

Penal is getting a new library. MP for Oropouche West and Minister in the Infrastructure Ministry Stacy Roopnarine made the announcement when she made a tour of the proposed site on Tuesday with officials of NALIS - the National Library and Information Systems Authority.

Roopnarine said she had been working on this project for a while because there is no library in her constituency. Her perseverance has paid off; NALIS is pleased with the proposed site and the library will become a reality soon.

The MP noted the many benefits of a library including access to a wide range of reference materials and modern facilities for students.

The library will be built at Ramjohn Ave, Penal close to two primary schools - the Dayanand Memorial Vedic School and the Penal Presbyterian School.

The Principal of the Vedic School, Daniel-Birju has requested that a Digital Library be made available at the library. 

Roopnarine thanked her parliamentary colleague, Education Minister Tim Gopeesingh for his drive in planning this new library, as well as the NALIS team.

Poll: Kamla's rating lowest in 3 years; Government takes a beating but PP can still win an election

Private celebration - Kamla celebrates the third anniversary of becoming leader of the UNC

A new poll by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) suggests that Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar's has dropped from a high of 73 per cent in 2010 to 44 per cent, the lowest it's been since she won the internal election in which he beat Basdeo Panday to become leader of the United National Congress (UNC).

The poll also suggests that the opposition People's National Movement (PNM) and its leader, Keith Rowley are gaining ground and would win at least seven of the seats now held by the People's Partnership if an election were held now. 

However it said the PP would likely win office because a majority of voters don’t view the PNM as a viable alternative at this point time. 

NACTA said 30 per cent of respondents said they prefer a third force comprising individuals of "integrity and honesty". The organisation interviewed 500 individuals "over the last couple of weeks", representing the demographics of the population. It has a four per pent margin of error.

NACTA said while Persad-Bissessar's approval rating as PM has slipped that of Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley has improved. 

The survey said respondents were concerned what they perceive to be poor delivery of service and the failure of government to meet high expectations. Other negatives recorded include, rampant crime, perceived corruption and nepotism, Section 34, unemployment, rising prices, and failure to fulfill manifesto promises such as term limits and right to recall MPs.

The poll also suggests that people are concerned that local government Councillors who are not servicing constituents. 

On a personal level, people appear to be impressed with the PM for her ability to keep the People's Partnership coalition together.

NACTA said while PP supporters expressed confidence that the coalition's fortunes would turn around it said a majority of voters said they would like to see the PM reconfigure her cabinet to "cut off dead limbs" and bring in new 

blood. 

The minister who get the highest ratings in the survey are:

1. Vasant Bharrat
2. Glenn Ramadharsingh 
3. Jack Warner
4. Roodal Moonilal 
5. Fuad Khan
6. Fazal Karim
7. Tim Gopeesingh
8. Kevin Ramnarine

The Tobago landslide in last month's Tobago House of Assembly election has been good for Rowley who now enjoys an approval rating of 42 per cent, according to NACTA. His disapproval rating is 38 per cent.

President Max Richards address a joint sitting of Parliament

NACTA also asked people about the performance of outgoing President Max Richards who came to office ten years ago with an approval rating of 68 per cent. The poll found that the president's approval rating is 46 per cent with 43 disapproving of his performance.

NACTA said people believe the Nizam Mohammed court ruling has brought the office of the President in disrepute. At the same time NACTA said there is
widespread endorsement of the government’s choice of Judge Anthony
Carmona as T&T's next President. 

NACTA said the manner in which the nomination was handled by the PM has given both Persad-Bissessar and the government a boost. 

Letter: PM Kamla sets stage for 2015 re-election

Thank you for the privileged opportunity to express my prophetic opinion, vision and commendation for the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar as she boldly sets the political stage for a second term in office in 2015, to continue as the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Certainly, in mid-stream of government, unimaginable resilience and willpower, unparelleled courage and stamina, political stability, consistent perseverance, surveillance and determination.


Worthy of admiration is her potential capacity to manage her family life, government and politics, keeping the People’s Partnership explicitly together, with just a single insignificant declension. 

She ranks equally among female prime ministers of the world, past and present, such as Magaret Thatcher (The Iron Lady of Great Britain), Indira Gandhi (India), Portia Simpson-Miller (Jamaica) and Julia Gillard (Australia).


Mrs Persad-Bissessar is daily laying the solid foundation for re-election in 2015 with plans, policies, initiatives and programmes such as Cepep, URP, Gate, Social assistance and welfare, the Children’s Fund and increased remuneration across the board, just to mention a few. Here lies the broad spectrum of voters whom she is targeting.

Her renowned performance as Prime Minister has already found recognition, appraisal and favour locally, regionally and internationally.She commands total support from her Cabinet ministers, especially the indefatigable Jack Warner, Dr Tim Gopeesingh, Dr Suruj Rambachan, Dr Roodal Moonilal, Winston Dookeran and Kevin Ramnarine (key ministers).

With respect to her current opposition forces, within and without, and which are unimportant and transient, she seems immovable, unperturbed, unimpressed and undisturbed. This is charismatic, incredible, dynamic, exceptional leadership. Silently, probably she is musing as the late Dr Eric Williams once said: “Let the jackass bray.”

I firmly believe that her detractors will disintegrate over time or they shall subsequently pose no significant threat to her victory at the next general election. 

I have envisaged her People’s Partnership Government capturing the Tobago House of Assembly election in 2013 and the next general election in 2015. 

This is only possible if she continues to proclaim her regular but important mantra: “I put God first, and we walk behind!”

Gabriel Henderson | Sangre Grande

Express Editorial: Amazing jump in primary school marks

Reproduced from the EXPRESS newspaper:

The extraordinary — indeed, unprecedented — improvement in primary school education could well indicate a revolutionary transformation of Trinidad and Tobago. According to an Academic Performance Index (API) report presented on Monday by Education Minister Tim Gopeesingh, the number of primary schools classified as "excelling" has moved from 15 to a whopping 121, while the number on "academic watch" dropped from 120 to just 28. And all this happened in just 12 months.

Needless to say, this bodes well for the future. These figures would mean that, in a few years, pass rates in national examinations should improve drastically. 

So more than one per cent of Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) students should score over 95 per cent in the 2014 exam, and, by 2019, more than half should get five or more subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exam, which implies more young people doing the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and getting a tertiary education. And this better educated population of the new generation should transform the economy and even the social mores of the nation.

But all this is contingent on the API figures being reliable, and only if they indicate a trend that will continue in secondary school and beyond.
In announcing these findings, Dr Gopeesingh offered a broad explanation as to how this incredible improvement was achieved in such a short space of time. The main factors he cited were discussions with stakeholders; the movement of the date of the SEA examination from March to May; filling of teacher vacancies; improved infrastructure; and individual initiatives by principals and their teachers.

On the flip side, however, when asked about the main reasons for under-performance by students, Dr Gopeesingh listed the school environment, poor infrastructure, inadequate teachers' training and application to their work, principals' management of the schools, and poor parenting. Except for infrastructure and efforts by teachers and principals, there thus seems to be a mismatch between the limiting factors in pedagogical progress and the initiatives taken to solve the problems.

Additionally, in support of the claim of improvement in the primary education sector, the API Report noted that T&T had participated in the 2011 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and the results showed that "Significant gains have been made since the previous study in 2006". 

While that is so, the PIRLS survey also ranked T&T 36th out of the 45 participating nations, and found that only 21 per cent of the Standard Three students posted above average scores, hence putting us among the 12 countries whose students scored below the benchmark.

The 2012 API Report suggests this poor showing has now changed, though. If so, the Education Ministry has truly wrought a pedagogical miracle.

Man in "planass" video is Gopeesingh's son

Shane Gopeesingh

“Yes, he is my son.”

That's what Education Minister Tim Gopeesingh told reporters Wednesday when they asked him about the man in a video who planassed a man outside the Brooklyn Bar.

The incident, which was recorded by a security camera, has been widely seen on the Internet. However while there was speculation about the identity of the alleged attacker, media had only reported that the person was the son of a cabinet minister.

Gopeesingh ended the speculation on Wednesday and admitted that the person is his son, Shane Gopeesingh. However, he said he would be inappropriate to comment further since the matter is under investigation.

Ministry regrets absenteeism at schools; teachers' union pleased with "rest and reflect" action

The Ministry of Education said on Friday preliminary checks reveal that 25 per cent of Primary School teachers and 35 per cent of Secondary School teachers went to work on Friday.

The others responded to their union and stayed away for what the Trinidad & Tobago Unified teachers' Union (TTUTA) called a time to "rest and reflect". Friday was the second day of the two-day action.

TTUTA has called the move a success noting that absenteeism at schools on Friday was between 90 and 95 per cent. It said the day before it was 69 per cent. While the union is pleased with its success, the ministry is not impressed with TTUTA's action

In an official statement, it called the action "regrettable". 

The ministry said: "Within the first 10 days of the new academic year, the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) has taken away three days of children's education. 

"It's regrettable that the education of the nation's students has now become collateral damage in this ongoing dispute between TTUTA and the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO). 

"Minister of Education, Dr. the Honourable Tim Gopeesingh, wishes to reiterate his previous statement on these negotiations and TTUTA's call for teachers' absence from schools. 

"He stated that he "is confident that while these negotiations are ongoing, the nation's teachers will continue to show dedication and commitment to the students who fall under their charges and he trusts that they will always ensure that the welfare of the children and the education sector remain their priority". 

"Minister Gopeesingh also expresses his strong desire that this situation never recur."

TTUTA took the action to put pressure on the CPO to conclude negotiations for enhanced salaries and conditions for teachers. The union and the COP met Friday and TTUTA's Second Vice President said the union held "meaningful discussions" with the CPO.

Orville Carrington told local media: "We have not reached consensus...But what we have detected, which is very important, is a change in the mood, a slight softening from the normal dogmatic position that would have been normally adopted. There is a willingness to consider our position."

Carrington said the union's priority is for an External Labour Market Survey to be completed in the shortest possible so teachers can start receiving current market wages.

"Once the Survey is completed we will still have to determine how the Survey will be applied. Our intention was to complete the negotiations by the end of September. I don't know if that will be possible given what is happening now. But we will want it to move on as quickly as possible."

Carrington said TTUTA is prepared to repeat its industrial action to maintain a strong negotiating position. "If needs be, we will certainly step up the action but again, our General Council will have to determine how we move on," he said. TTUTA has scheduled an Emergency General Council Meeting for Monday to discuss the next steps.

Shouter Baptist school opens

Minister of Education Dr Tim Gopeesingh and Archbishop Barbara Burke with pupils and parents of the St Barbara's Spiritual Shouter Baptist Primary School. Express photo

Trinidad & Tobago's first Shouter Baptist school opened Monday at the start of the new school term. Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, who visited the St Barbara's Spiritual Shouter Baptist Primary School, called it "a historic day" for Shouter Spiritual Baptist faith.

"It's the first school...that has been constructed for that faith, not only in Trinidad but the wider Caribbean and the world at large," he stated.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced on March 30, 2011, Persad-Bissessar that the school would be built and construction began in December last year.

The school can accomodate up to 250 children but so far only 105 pupils are enrolled in classes ranging from first year to standard three. The cost of the building was just over $28.3 million. 

Archbishop Barbara Burke described the occasion as joyful after years of feeling like a "second class citizen". She told reporters, "I feel elated, I feel so joyful in my soul because it was 14 long years we have been pleading and asking for a school."

Officials expect all teachers and a principal would be on board by Wednesday.

Gopeesingh wants to know why principals kept schools closed

Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh and a team from his ministry will on Tuesday make a visit to schools that remained closed at the start of the new school year Monday.

Gopeesingh has announced that the ministry would launch an investigation to find out why some principals kept their schools closed without getting permission from supervisors. The T&T Unified Teachers Association reported that 19 schools did not open on Monday.

“This is unacceptable," the minister told local media. "The permanent secretary is calling a meeting of all supervisors and principals to discuss this matter. No one informed the ministry related to this matters and the permanent secretary and the chief education officer are looking into the matter,” he added.

However Gopeesingh said it's the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) that would determine if any action would be taken in the matter. 

The first vice president of the T&T Unified Teachers Association Dev Sinanan stated that principals did not have to ask permission. “The principal can exercise discretion in terms of determining whether the school is safe or not," he explained. "If there is evidence, the principal can inform the supervisor but does not have to get permission,” Sinanan added.

Another school year begins, minister sees crisis in parenting

File: School children in T&T

Tens of thousand of children are starting a new school year Monday with words of advice for them and their parents from Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh who believes that Trinidad & Tobago is suffering from a crisis in parenting. 

“Parents, please remember that without your commitment to your children’s education and personal development, our society is in danger of losing even more of our young people to crime and violence,” the minister said in a statement Sunday.

“We suffer a crisis in parenting at this time and the time has come for you to recommit to your duties and responsibilities to your children,” he added.

Gopeesingh urged parents to talk to their children about their lives, problems, interests and their emotions. “Let them know they are subject to strong boundaries and discipline,"he said. "And above all, let them know that you love and care for them.”

Gopeesingh also appealed to educators to recommit themselves to their jobs. “To the principals and teachers, I applaud you for your dedicated work but I must implore you to also recommit to the very noble task you are entrusted with as educators,” the minister said.

“We seek a reduction in teacher absenteeism and better academic performance among our students, especially in their literacy and numeracy skills. 

“Many children come from dysfunctional backgrounds, making your tasks as teachers more important and more powerful. Teach our children with inspiration, love, caring and dedication and our country will be a better place for it.”

The President of the National Parent/Teacher Association (NPTA) also had some advice. Zena Ramatali agreed with the minister and added that parents must also advocate for the rights of their children.

She also had advice for both parents and teachers. “Parents must also be made aware what are the teachers actually teaching and it is the duty of the teachers to inform the parents about this.”

She said parents must listen without being judgmental and they must make time for their children. “They also need to pray with their children because many children are growing up without knowing God."

No $10M for MPs; $94M for texbooks

Local Government Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan told reporters on Thursday cabinet is still to consider a proposal to provide $10 million annually to each of the 41 Members of Parliament for work in their respective constituencies, including social development needs.

Rambachan said the Government is reforming Local Government to ensure that councilors have offices and secretarial staff and certain tax benefits for the purchase of vehicles.

He said such a measure in common in many countries. "In Jamaica, 2.5 of the national budget is spent on this matter and there are other countries in the world including India and Kenya where such funds do exist so that there are other parts of the world and in the Commonwealth that have such an activity," he explained.

Rambachan's cabinet colleague, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, also spoke with reporters Thursday. He revealed that Cabinet has approved about $94 million for the Textbook Loan Programme for students in primary and secondary schools.

Gopeesingh advised parents not to buy textbooks until it is determined which ones Government will be providing. He explained that under the program each student will have books on loan for at least three years. Primary school students would have five textbooks. Those in secondary school would have seven.

He added, "In addition, the Ministry will provide textbooks which have been selected by the Principals and teachers at the Secondary level for all subject areas."

Gopeesingh also stated that there are going to be changes to ensure that one supplier alone doesn't benefit.

"This whole system has been changed to allow for a wider participation but of course taking into consideration what the Principals and teachers want for their particular schools to be used. The cost of this exercise for this year, the expenditure to be incurred is approximately $94,074,633.26."

Gopewssingh said in 2009 one publisher made up to $30 million selling primary school books and $30 million for secondary school books.

South school takes the lead in SEA; girls lead again

Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh congratulates the Principal of the Canaan Presbyterian School, Daniel Sahadeo

The top student in Trinidad and Tobago based on the results of the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exams is Rebecca Jattan of the Canaan Presbyterian Primary. Rebecca will be attending Naparima Girls' High School in San Fernando at the start of the new school year in September.

Rebecca Jattan with her parents Robin and Stacey Jattan, and Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh

Shemiah Grant, a student at Atwell’s Educational Centre in Tacarigua, was second with Nishtha Mohan and Victoria Maharaj tied for third place. Mohan attends Freeport Presbyterian and Maharaj goes to Avocat Vedic school.

The girls are among 17,916 pupils who sat the SEA examination in May.

Express newspaper graphic shows the four top students

Commenting on the results, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh said students did better this year than in the past. He said it may be because children had an extra six weeks to prepare for the exam since it was shifted from March to May.

"It may not have reached the leaps and bounds that we may desire, but there has been an incremental increase and improvement in the academic performance of our students," Gopeesingh told local media. He added, "In 2010, 2011, it got better. In 2012, it's even better."

The minister said schools are doing better. "Last year, we had students in the first 200 places. This year, we have had a larger spread of schools, almost 81 schools, which have been successful in having students in the first 200."

2 employees under suspicion in SEA leak; police investigating

File: Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh

Tim Gopeesingh told reporters Thursday the Ministry of Education has suspicions about "one or two" employees in connection with the leak of the results of the Secondary Entrance Assessment Examination (SEA) results.

The Minister of Education said police have been called in to investigate the leak.
"The Ministry of Education did some internal investigations and we found that one or two people inside...we had some difficulty with them," he said.

Gopeesingh said Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs was told about the matter and he has indicated "that a team is being set up with the Ministry of Education".

Gopeesingh added, "Investigations are ongoing now so it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter, except to say that they are looking within the ministry and outside the ministry as well, at this criminal conduct in terms of a cybercrime."

Gopeesingh suggested that there could be a political motive behind the leak, noting that it is unacceptable for anyone "to bring about destabilisation, chaos and confusion in the lives of our children, parents and the wider society by interfering with the education system and trying to be dirty."

He said the leak created confusion in the minds of pupils, teachers, parents and families. He added that a similar situation occurred recently with someone tried to tamper with the papers for CXC. 

Gopeesingh explained that politicians had no influence over the exams or the results, adding that the system is recognised all over the world for its standards, fairness, and transparency and had stood the test of time.