As teachers across the State of Grenada were recognised for their contribution this week, the Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT) highlighted the need for scores of them to be appointed to permanent positions.
On Tuesday October 05, Grenada joined the rest on the world in observing World Teachers’ Day under the theme: “Teaching for a Better World: Together in Strength and Solidarity.”
The GUT observed the day with video tributes, speeches, premier of GUT newsflash and individual school appreciation.
Today (Friday) each branch of the GUT was expected to execute the distribution of tokens or treats to teachers at the respective schools.
Minister of Education, Hon Emmalin Pierre in her address to observe the day, congratulated teachers for going above and beyond, being more than an educator but also an inspiration to every student.
Noting that COVID-19 has challenged the education system, she urged teachers to see it as opportunities in disguise.
Minister Pierre told them that their attitude of willingness to move from face to face to online teaching has been positive. She thanked them for their contribution, looking forward to a greater partnership “through the GUT to find solutions to challenges you face in performing your duties.”
Of those challenges is the need for teachers to be permanently appointed. GUT President Marvin Andall said this issue is constantly raised at meetings with Government, in hope that it will be urgently addressed.
He had previously expressed that this negatively affects teachers’ socio-economic well-being, in that they are unable to get loans to undertake initiatives to improve their lives and that of their family.
On Tuesday, Minister Pierre told this newspaper that currently the focus is on hiring and filling vacant positions as quickly as possible. She said once that process is completed, the Ministry will speed up the assessment of the situation with temporary teachers and then engage the Union on the way forward. The Education Minister reiterated that the priority is to ensure teachers are first placed in the classroom to fill vacant positions where persons retired and went on leave. During this process, she said some temporary teachers are being interviewed for vacant positions as well.
