Selfish attitude from TSC

Ms Hyacinth Guy’s interview with reporter Clevon Raphael in the Guardian (April 29, 2012) titled, “We don’t take instructions from politicians–TSC head” had me in total shock. As former teacher myself, I can appreciate the utter chaos at present within the educational system.

To me, Ms Guy’s comments seem self-serving and I daresay sound like an attempt to undermine the present Government. As chairman of the Teaching Service commission (TSC) I deem Ms Guy’s comments irresponsible. Instead of working together with the Government for the greater good of our nation, she chose to make comments about the TSC mandate being to insulate teachers from politicians.

She elaborated by outlining about the role and function of the TSC, something that I am positive the general population already knew; her comments during that interview were nothing new to us. Ms Guy seems somewhat confused, as she said, “the function of the TSC is to act as an independent body.”

What is the functioning then, being independent, in the context of the national policy agenda for education? From the tone of the interview, it seems to me that Ms Guy wanted to stress on the TSC being separate and apart from the Ministry of Education.

How will this augur in the interest of the population Ms Guy? Your attitude seems selfish. The children of the nation will have to pay the ultimate price with the work of the TSC being left undone. Ms Guy, please, instead of placing your focus on criticising Dr Gopeesingh in the national press, you should focus on filling the 300-plus vacancies in the Teaching Service. I implore that you change your attitude in the interest of the children who are the future of the nation.

Lenore Jugmohan
Via e-mail