00:00According to the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association, based on figures that
00:05were obtained, 63% of teachers and 62% of students were absent.
00:10From the nation's schools on Tuesday, that trend continued on Wednesday with a
00:15high number of absenteeism.
00:17TUTAS President Crystal Bevin-Ashi says the Association of the United States
00:20was not responsible for this outcome, but he outlines that an investigation
00:25into the situation is underway.
00:27What is coming out of that so fine?
00:30TUTAS President Crystal Bevin-Ashi is a
00:43meet with anybody I would have spoken to a few people via messages and that is what they would
00:46have indicated.
00:48However, if one were to infer anything, it would be a
00:53probably think that maybe the illness might be due to some sort of stress.
00:58That they are undergoing at this point in time and part of that stress could have been.
01:03Or could be because of the fact that their salary is that.
01:08Should have, or ought to have been paid in January, has not been paid.
01:10Ashe notes that promises to resolve
01:13Salary issues lack fixed timelines and the removal of the employee as the
01:18assistance program has eliminated a key support avenue for teachers under stress.
01:23Would Tüter call it a sick out?
01:26No, Tüter, I wouldn't say it.
01:28As a sicker, nobody, the reforms are not sent to us and so we have no evidence that the people.
01:33The teachers or the educators would have indicated that they would have sent that to the immediate.
01:38Reporting officer.
01:39He claims that there are reports that some schools which requested to be dismissed.
01:43Mr. Early were told they would have to make do with the low turnout in staff.
01:48That sets a dangerous precedent because if we don't have sufficient members of staff.
01:53If they're treated with students, then that presents a clear and immediate threat to the safety of the children.
01:58And we wouldn't want to encourage things like that.
02:00There are also allegations that at least in
02:03one school teachers were told that it was mandatory that they report for duty.
02:08Tüter states that it is still investigating these claims.
02:11What is the way forward because if.
02:13Teachers continue to be stressed what is going to happen in the nation's schools within.
02:18The next week or the next two weeks or so.
02:21If teachers continue to feel this.
02:23Same.
02:24kes.
02:25Assisted with their actual families.
02:26So.
02:27i would i would i would hope and pray that the um the powers that be being the ministry
02:32finance being the ministry of education do what they have to do to ensure that our teachers
02:37feel a little better despite the association reiterating that
02:42did not plan or make such arrangements it is expressing understanding concerning
02:47inconvenience caused to the national public i would still take the opportunity to apologize on behalf
02:52of educators that you would have to go through that stress we wouldn't want anybody to go through any
02:57on due stress but i'm asking them to say a little prayer for the teachers
03:02they will feel better under the persons in charge the powers that be
03:07will do what is necessary so that we can find a solution
03:12boucher tv6 news
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