The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Association (TTUTA) is calling for national consultation, before any decision is taken to close schools for the entire Carnival week.With yet another dismal showing of students on Ash Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh said such a proposal was being considered.He pointed out that the Carnival week was becoming non-functional as the turnout rate of students, across the country, was very poor.
While the ministry reported that the Ash Wednesday student turnout was an improvement from last year, from 32 per cent in 2013 to 37 per cent in 2014, the figures were still disappointing.There was also an improvement in the percentage of primary school teachers, from 69 per cent to 73 per cent, who turned up for work after the two Carnival days, this year and a 16 per cent increase in secondary school teachers from 56 per cent last year to 72 per cent this year.
However, the secondary school student turnout decreased from 26 to 18 per cent.Gopeesingh said instead of having to deal with lower and lower student attendance each year, his ministry would consider giving students and teachers the entire week off. He said this week could be taken back from the official July/August vacation period.
The Carnival week-off idea and a reduced July/August vacation, by one week, to strike a happy balance, is not new, having been proposed by the National Parent Teachers Association in 2011.Even before this, in 2005 under the then Prime Minister Patrick Manning administration, his wife, Hazel, then Education Minister, undertook a similar initiative. Back then, students and teachers were granted the entire week off and the ninth week of the August holidays was used to balance it off.
TTUTA's second vice president Lynsley Doodhai said proper consultation on a national level was vital before any decision or recommendation can be made. TTUTA has also expressed concern for the loss of teaching time during this period, especially for students preparing for the Secondary Entrance Assessment examination at primary level and CXC and CAPE at secondary level.The National Principal's Association said it would make a statement if and when such a proposal is formalised.
President of the NPTA Zena Ramatali took a 'no comment' approach. She reminded the T&T Guardian, her association had made the same recommendation, three years ago, to counter the high absenteeism rate, but it was met with unfavourable responses.Ramatali said her association will have to discuss the situation before pronouncing on the proposal, but agreed with Doodhai that there must be wide consultation before any decision can be taken.