The new school year will likely not catch the government with its pants down, as the Ministry of Education is reporting that majority of public schools are fully staffed.
During a news conference, held on Thursday and hosted by Minister of Education Hon. Rachel Taylor, to announce the state of readiness for the new school year, Deputy Director of Education Mark Garland said almost public schools had their full complement of teachers, while institutions which were not fully staffed are filled with temporary experienced teachers.
“For 2023-2024 new academic school year, the majority of our schools are fully staffed and where there are vacancies, these vacancies are being filled with suitably qualified teachers who are employed on a temporary basis,” Garland said. “Our temporary teachers serve for a period of six months and during this time effort is made to fill the vacancy on a permanent basis.”
He added: “For us in the Department of Education, staffing plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of our schools. From the Primary School cohort of teachers to the High School cohort of teachers, our teachers provide essential services that directly impact the learning environment of our schools.”
He pointed out, however, that the recruitment of teachers from countries outside of the Turks and Caicos Islands and especially from within the country was becoming more challenging, basically for two main reasons.
“Firstly, there is a global shortage of teachers. In fact, The United Nation's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that 69 million teachers are needed globally to provide universal basic education by 2030.
“Secondly teachers are becoming more business minded and are using their skills to market themselves in order to facilitate their livelihoods. For example, an industrial arts teacher is likely to leave teaching to pursue a career in the construction industry and a Home Economics Teacher is likely to leave teaching to operate their own restaurant, and so it is for reasons such as these why recruiting and retaining teachers have become more difficult,” Garland lamented.
He said during August a total of eight teachers resigned from the TCI school system. Among them, two were English A and B teachers, two were Mathematics Teacher, and one Chemistry Teacher. He said also there was also a resignation from the principal of the Louise Garland Thomas High School, noting also that the number also included one Upper Primary School Teacher Grade (4-6) and one History/Geography Teacher.
“These are all resignations which we did not anticipate, and therefore, it would have been near impossible to fill these positions before school resumes next week. However, the recruitment process for these vacancies have already begun and we expect to have these vacancies filled by the third week in September barring any setbacks,” Garland assured.
He pointed out also that a number of teachers have been recruited for the new school year.
They include three Guidance Counsellors for Schools on North Caicos/CHHS/Iris Stubbs/Marjorie Basden; two Industrial Arts Teachers for the Clement Howell /HJ Robinson High Schools; two Business Teachers for Raymond Gardiner High School; one Visual Arts teacher for HJ Robinson High School; two Music Teachers for the Ianthe Pratt and Enid Capron Primary schools; three Early Childhood Teacher for the Oseta Jolly Primary; one Upper Primary Teacher for the Iris Stubbs Primary School; one Mathematics Teacher for the Raymond Gardiner High School; and two English A/B Teacher for the Clement Howell High School.
“Now, we had recruited more graduate Primary School Teachers for upper and lower levels, but unfortunately, they turned downed the officers,” Garland explained.
Math Specialists
Garland told the news conference that a unique feature to the Education Department’s staffing this year and going forward will be the addition of a Mathematics Specialist assigned to every school. He pointed that Over the years, data revealed that the internal and external examinations results in Mathematics have been poor, which warranted the implementation of a Mathematic Specialist as a proactive attempt by the Ministry of Education to improve students’ overall performance at the Primary and Secondary level.
“Now, it is important to know that the Mathematics Specialist is not replacing the Mathematics Teacher. The mathematics teachers will continue to focus on teaching students’ the mathematical concepts and skills that are appropriate for their age and developmental level.
“However, the Mathematics Specialist will assist the Mathematics Teachers in developing new curriculums and teaching strategies so that the students can fully grasp critical concepts. And based on the testimonies I have read; this approach has proven to improve students’ performance in Mathematics in other countries and I am sure that our students will also benefit from such an approach,” Garland further noted.
He added: “In summary, the mathematics specialist will help address challenges by providing students with the opportunity to make sense of problems and deeply engage with mathematics content; share, listen to, understand, and respond to the ideas of others; and build new learning by drawing on prior experiences from their lives, both in and out of school.”
Special Education
In the meantime, Garland told the media that Special Education remains a priority for government, and effort was being made to ensure that each school is equip with a Special Education Teacher, and two special education teachers and for larger schools.
“By mid-September, all schools will be equipped with Special Education Teachers, or will have access to a special education teacher or special education services,” Garland announced.
“Why is it important to have special education teachers assigned to schools? The Special Education Teachers will help to ensure that students with disabilities or special needs receive quality education.
"And so, parents, if you have a child who requires special attention, speak to the principal of your school, and if the problem cannot be addressed at the school level, then a referral will be made so that your child receives the necessary assistance,” Garland promised.
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