Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
The Association of Denominational Boards of Education (ADBE) says the Teaching Service Commission is threatening parents’ constitutional right to choose a religious education for their children, as tensions escalate over how teacher vacancies in government-assisted primary schools are being filled.
The ADBE has pushed back against a recent statement by the commission, which sought to clarify that there is no shortage of qualified teachers and that priority lists remain available to fill vacancies across the primary school system. But the ADBE has dismissed that position, arguing it misrepresents the legal and constitutional framework governing denominational education and ignores the role of religious bodies in maintaining the character of their schools.
The association said the issue goes beyond staffing administration and touches on constitutionally protected rights, including freedom of conscience and religion, and the right of parents and guardians to choose schools aligned with their beliefs.
It pointed to the long-standing 1960 agreement between the State and religious denominational authorities, which it says underpins the governance of government-assisted schools and preserves their religious identity.
Under that arrangement, denominational boards are responsible for assessing candidates submitted through the Teaching Service Commission’s Order of Merit List and recommending those suitable to preserve the character of their institutions.
The ADBE said the commission’s framing of the issue risks undermining that arrangement.
“The commission’s statement that a valid Priority List currently exists with more than 250 qualified candidates for the office of Teacher I (Primary) implies that the authority to determine ‘qualification’ to assure the preservation and denominational character of a school resides with the Commission,” the ADBE said.
The ADBE said it raised its concerns directly with Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath at a meeting last week. The association said there are approximately 238 Teacher I vacancies across 341 government-assisted primary schools managed by denominational boards.
The ADBE also rejected the implication that delays in filling vacancies are solely due to denominational boards failing to submit recommendations, insisting that boards have already indicated where candidates do not meet the requirements for preserving the religious character of their schools.
The commission, however, maintains it has the candidates available and has urged denominational boards to work more closely with the State to ensure appointments are finalised without further delay.
It also noted that a further recruitment exercise involving more than 400 candidates is nearing completion.
The ADBE has reiterated that it remains open to collaboration but insists any resolution must respect the Concordat framework and the rights of parents to choose education aligned with their faith. It says it is now awaiting the updated Order of Merit List from the Commission arising from the 2025 recruitment exercise.
