THE Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) and the National Primary Schools Principals Association (NAPSPA) agree with the Education Ministry's decision to move the SEA examination from June 10 to July. Both groups said the health and safety of school personnel and students should remain a priority.
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly announced the decision at Thursday's post-Cabinet press conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's.
She said the change was made owing to the rising covid19 case numbers, adding that teachers most in contact with students will now be prioritised for covid19 vaccinations.
"This has become necessary due to the trajectory of the covid19 pandemic and the ensuing challenges posed by the health regulations at this time."
She said results will be released in the second week of September.
When the decision was initially made to hold the exam on June 10, she said, the rolling seven-day average of covid19 cases was 89. But with the average now being approximately 478, she said the decision could not stand.
"The government has put strict and robust measures in place to reduce the covid19 numbers and the Ministry of Education, along with the rest of the country, has been monitoring the numbers daily to gauge how quickly the decrease would be realised, as we all acknowledged that the exam could only proceed in an atmosphere of safety for all stakeholders. This remains the government's first priority."
She said it is evident the time between now and June 10 is not enough to allow for a decrease in daily case numbers.
In a release, TTUTA said it held an emergency meeting on Thursday morning, when "various education professionals expressed serious concerns about the administration of the SEA exam on June 10.
"TTUTA views as extremely important the physical and mental health of both educators and students at this time."
Had the exam still been held that day, the association said some educators would have needed curfew passes to ensure the exam began on time.
"The movement of large numbers of adults and students on June 10 is counterproductive to the whole reason for the state of emergency."
It also said it hopes the extra time will allow proper sanitisation of all buildings to be used.
NAPSA echoed these views in its own press release saying, "Our association has always held strong views that the health and safety of students, teachers, and all stakeholders must be given top priority in decision making."
But while the change of date is fine, it said there are other issues the ministry has to sort out.
It said initially, 38 per cent of all primary school teachers had volunteered to work for the 2021 exam, but now, "approximately 20 per cent of them have changed their minds due to the drastic increase in covid19 cases and related deaths."
Because of this, it hopes the ministry ensures priority is indeed given to staff members who wish to be vaccinated.
NAPSPA urged "proper consultation with the stakeholders, especially principals, since they
