More than 80 per cent of RC schools have teacher vacancies

Only 17 of 118 RC primary schools have no vacancies. This was disclosed by Fr David Khan, Vicar for Education and Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM) while addressing the Catholic Teachers’ Association (CTA) Convention on Friday, November 14 at the Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Curepe.

“One hundred and one schools, or eighty-five per cent, carry vacancies at the administrative or Teacher 1 level,” he said in his presentation focusing on an update from the CEBM.

There are 81 Teacher 1 vacancies, with 57 impending retirements; 29 Heads of Department vacancies; 50 Senior Teacher vacancies, with 3 upcoming retirements; 17 Vice Principal vacancies and 1 forthcoming retirement and 58 Principal vacancies with 20 of them due to retire.

Fr Khan reported there were a total of 154 administrative vacancies with 24 upcoming retirements. He said 21 Principal positions were advertised in 2022, but these remain vacant pending interviews to be conducted by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

There are 21 schools without appointed administrative staff and, as a result, Fr Khan said, “full leadership responsibility is on Teacher 1 personnel while they continue classroom instruction.”

The TSC advertised for Teacher 1 positions earlier this year. The list of applicants was shared with CEBM whose Human Resource Department completed 107 interviews. Fr Khan said 98 suitable candidates were identified for 81 vacancies. “Placement awaits the Ministry of Education’s final results”.

He informed the gathering that a recent meeting with the TSC resulted in agreement to review and confirm 120 Assistant Teachers and Temporary Teachers currently acting in Teacher 1 positions. In addition, the CEBM shared “lists of projected retirements over the next five years” and “potential staffing issues were flagged for monitoring”.

CEBM is taking steps to get the vacancies filled. These include, the HR Department will submit a full report on vacancies to the TSC and Ministry, review all appointments with Quality Assurance Managers and complete a Primary School Success Plan.

‘Drawing Maps of Hope’ was the title of his address taken from Pope Leo XIV Apostolic Letter to educators ‘Drawing New Maps of Hope’. He said, “Your work shapes the moral and spiritual landscape of our children, and your witness continues to draw new hope”.

He told teachers that it was in the classroom that faith is formed, dignity is defended and young minds learn to see the world through the light of the Gospel. “Hope grows in every lesson you teach, every challenge you face with integrity and every student you accompany with patience and conviction”.

The theme of the Convention was Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit (Zech 4:6).

Archbishop Emeritus Robert Rivas OP celebrated the Mass with Fr Khan and Deacon Terrence Caesar, Principal of Tunapuna Boys’ RC Primary, assisted. Welcome remarks were given by CTA President Nigel Gopie, and statements given by the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association Crystal Bevin Ashe, and President of the National Council of Parent Teachers’ Association Inc, Walter Stewart. The featured speaker was Fr Ian Taylor. — LPG