Georgetown: Child abuse, including an increase in sexual offences, in the country’s school system was listed among the reasons that warranted disciplinary action by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) last year. According to the TSC, its Disciplinary Committee recommended that a total of 164 teachers be dismissed during the past year.
According to the Commission, “strong action had to be taken by the Commission against the backdrop of a heightened wave of reported sexual offences across the country.”
Moreover, two head teachers were demoted – one for forgery and one for neglect of duty, misconduct and irregularity. Additionally, 43 resignations were accepted.
Actions, it was revealed were meted out to teachers who either broke the Code of Conduct or who have demonstrated that they will not continue to be good teachers. Some had to be interdicted from duty and in some cases dismissed because of being found guilty of touching or fondling students, child abuse specifically as it relates to emotional abuse, vulgar or inappropriate behaviour in school and inappropriate relationships with students.
It was revealed too that during the course of last year the TSC, in keeping with its constitutional mandate, continued its three-fold role of appointing, removing and disciplining teachers.
Conscious of the large sum of money being expended on the Education system, and mindful of the important role of teachers, the Commission, through its work sought to assist in meeting the objectives as set by the Ministry of Education. However it was revealed that although hundreds of persons applied for teaching positions, a mere 510 junior teachers were appointed. The TSC revealed that there were many applicants with 10 or more CSEC or CXC passes with grades I and II, but who had passes of grade IV or lower in English Language and / Mathematics. Usually a pass of grade III and higher in English and Mathematics is compulsory for appointment as a Temporary Qualified Master/Mistress
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