Episode Transcript
[00:00:01] Speaker A: The best insight, Instant feedback, Accountability the all new Talk Radio Freedom 106.5.
[00:00:08] Speaker B: We have on the phone line with us this morning, President of tutor, Trinidad Tobago Unified Teachers Association, Martin Lumpkin. Good morning to you, sir.
[00:00:16] Speaker C: Hi, good morning, good morning, good morning.
[00:00:18] Speaker B: Thank you very much for chatting with us this morning. Now briefly on the no Shotwell.
On the heels of students receiving their results at 11 last night into this morning, parents who didn't stay up, and I don't know any parent who probably didn't stay up to look on that website last night. But you know, as the children are going off into the secondary new school term, we still have the school violence breathing down our necks. You know, what is Tutor position right now as it relates to government's policy that they want to implement in terms of arresting students and charging them for these violent crimes committed against other students?
[00:00:57] Speaker C: Tutor has always been on record that we support any initiative which will address violence and indiscipline in our nation's school.
We agree with the honorable Prime Minister that something drastic needs to be done at this time in this is the next and that we need to tackle it should these students infringe the law.
We are not objecting to having that being addressed at that level. But what we've been seeing as well is that there should be timely intervention to prevent the law enforcement coming into the picture that students have to face the penal system or actually the judicial system and any penal system. There needs to be interventions that will reform students before they get into that aspect, but also to look at the influences that play on our students as well from within and external to the school. Because as we know, there is allegedly the influence of gangs and dealers as well on our nation students. We realize that the school is a fertile ground in order to perpetuate some of their activities and as such, so we have to look at that as well. So it cannot be that we are looking at it in one level. We have to be multi pronged in looking at it in terms of prevention as well too.
[00:02:43] Speaker B: From your position as your students are embarking into this new journey, what are some of the advice as the president of Tutor you would like to give to parents at this time, parents that are listening, very excited and some of them worried at the same time about this new venture that your children will be embarking on.
[00:03:02] Speaker C: And we want to say congratulations to all our students who would have achieved their choice of school and to those who did not, because we know that there are students who would not have gotten their first or Second choice to keep your head high. Still, you would have done exceptionally well to complete the FCA examination.
And life is not always going to be about you achieving on your first try so that it is not the end of the world. Unfortunately, some of us take this examination so seriously that it affects me psychologically. But when you go to your new school, I can assure you there will be and there are educators and teachers who will look after your best interests, not only in the curriculum, but extracurricular and co curricular activities and even the hidden curriculum. And to see this as a stepping stone on your educational journey and to make best use of the situation that you are going to be placed in.
Yes, you will be the new and youngest batch of students in the school.
But if you can recall when you entered primary school and as infants that there's a welcoming atmosphere in the school and you will get to make new friends, make friends with those who can influence you into politics and avoid those that are trying to get you down any wrong path. To our parents, we need to continue to support your children, make sure you monitor them on a daily basis, ask, you know, the simple question, how was your day, what you did today, etc. Etc, etc. And we also ask you to work with the school as well to ensure that your child has the best opportunity within the school.
We've seen in the past with some parents attempting to intervene, using typical means and not utilizing the steps that are there in order to, you know, inquire and to resolve what is taking place with their child. The majority of our schools want the best for our nation's children and will put things in place in order to help the children. And that's what the Ministry of Education needs to assist as well in terms of student Support Services division to enhance the the presence and resources of our SFSD in order to make things easier and give that support to the nation's schools. And so our educators at the secondary school continue to do the great work at primary as well. But in terms of the new intake, continue to do the good work that you do and to ensure that these students settle in a level of comfort in order to continue their journey.
[00:06:23] Speaker B: It would be remiss of me if I didn't ask you this question. We have heard the talks about zoning.
Is that still the order on the Ministry of Education's table? Are you aware as to whether or not students are zoned based on the marks they received?
[00:06:39] Speaker C: The zoning takes place when the student does not obtain the mark to fulfill the four choices. So in Other words, if they did not get into the four choices, then they are placed and they are placed. If they cannot resist the examination by virtue of their age, then they will be zoned by close to their school as possible.
One of the trends that we're seeing over the years, which we have objection to, is the fact that when we have students performing below 30% and that the, you know, that's the mark that they use within the FDA for not performing well, they are all lumped into one school.
And we can imagine what takes place when you have students who seem to be, and I'm using that in place to seem to be underperforming and you're not being given the resources that are necessary in order to help these students. So you can imagine the frustration amongst the students, amongst the educators that they are being given students to that support needs to be there, remedial lessons, etc. But they are not given the requisite resources, training, etc. And when you have students who are not achieving and their self worth is eroded, then you're going to get them involved in other activities other than learning and proper learning. You.
So it's something that we look forward to the Ministry of Education addressing very seriously because it is affecting some of our secondary schools.
[00:08:38] Speaker B: So what you're saying is that so 30% is the benchmark in which students are placed into secondary schools and below that they just dump them in an area and that's it?
[00:08:51] Speaker C: Yeah, 30 and below 30.
Yeah. So they are fine. I would like to use the term dump or they're admitted to schools and it's a large cluster of them, so it's not even distribution.
And so a number of schools are being challenged with these students and having to one get them to a certain level of functionality, performance, not only literacy, but numeracy as well. And so the focus is on that area to bring them up to that level whereby they can continue to learn.
And one of the things as well too is the area of technical vocational.
Now we're not saying that so called DUNS children, please don't get me wrong, we're not saying that so called DUNS children end up on the technical vocational area, but this is an area that we believe can address, you know, some of the areas and you know, bring these students, students who are likely or would want to go into the technical vocational area that they have now, a path by which they can build a career and achieve and build the nation as well too. So we really need to look at that area as well. But in Terms of the zoning.
That's the application of the zoning at this time. And you know there needs to be a serious look at the FDA as a whole component of placing students into secondary school.
[00:10:31] Speaker B: All right, the time is now 6:45 in the nation's capital. That time check brought you with a kind complement of Alpha Transport Ltd. Give them a call at 654-1033 and 389-2289. They are all there ready and available. Because Alpha is not just about transport, it's also about reliable service you can trust. We are chatting with the Tutor president Martin Lumpkin this morning post SEA examinations and one of the things I wanted to ask you as well and thank you very much for clearing up those issues with respect to the zoning and the 30% and how tutor feels about the placement of these so called duns or underperforming students. The thing about it is do you have to register your student at the assigned school first before seeking a transfer?
[00:11:14] Speaker C: You are advised to register before mainly because the transfer, if you apply for a transfer it's not guaranteed and if you didn't register at the school it then you don't have a place.
You are now out of the system. So it is always advisable that you register fifth day transfer and if you are successful then you get the school of your choice there. But if you are not successful because transfer in 5th year is left up to. It used to be the SS3 of the district and Matthews has been a psychological committee that looks at that now and that will be based on if there's available spaces for the school that you applied for the transfer.
And that would be if the student did not take up the position or you know, other facilities. But the transfer is not principal to principal. Again, it used to be the past that the incoming student, the school of choice, the principal had the choice to accept. Now it is out of the remit of the principal and there's a third party that looks at it.
[00:12:40] Speaker B: So it's no longer the principal.
[00:12:42] Speaker C: So.
[00:12:44] Speaker B: You'Re advising tutor is advising this morning that you register your students, your child at the assigned school that they pass for, whether it's the second choice. Well if they pass with the first choice, there's no transfer needed. But if they pass for the fourth choice or even they were placed or they get a school in an area that you don't like and you're seeking the transfer, it's always best to register your student first, your child first, then seek the transfer. So let me understand this very quickly principle to principle that no longer happens. So when a person wants to get a transfer, what are the one, the requirements and the. What are the steps that they should take? After the registering of the child at the assigned school, what is next?
[00:13:25] Speaker C: Then the. There is a process whereby you go and you apply for the transfer and the form that you apply on is taken to the educational district where the child wants to go. So sometimes it's within the same educational district and sometimes it crosses to another district. You'll have to take it to the district that you want your child, whatever.
[00:13:53] Speaker B: District, take it to that office.
[00:13:55] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:13:55] Speaker B: And when you take it there, how long does it. Because remember, books are to buy, uniforms are to buy, and in times gone by, they get the transfer mid October, but they had to go to school in September. They would have had to buy new uniforms.
So what is the time frame for parents to seek these transfers and the duration that they would review it and give a response? So parents can get to the bookstores, get the uniforms. What is the time frame for parents to go and do and apply for.
[00:14:25] Speaker C: These transfers as immediate, Immediately.
[00:14:30] Speaker B: Right.
[00:14:31] Speaker C: Right after the registration, you go through the collective also. Right.
[00:14:35] Speaker B: Right after you register your child, Is there a fee attached?
[00:14:38] Speaker C: I, I can't report.
I have not, I've not gotten anything back that there is. I. I'm subject to correction on that.
[00:14:48] Speaker B: Point because I remember there was a whole big talk about it and school's not supposed to charge.
[00:14:54] Speaker C: That's a registration at the registration period.
The schools are not supposed to engage in the parents to pay a fee. But that's another issue we're dealing with there. I mean, ideally, yes, you should not have to pay to register your child.
[00:15:13] Speaker B: But is it illegal for principals to charge a fee to register children? Is it an illegal practice? When I say legal, not a criminal practice, but illegal in the sense that it is not a mandate from the Ministry of Education, Especially at the government secondary schools, not the private institutions, they subjected to their own terms and conditions somewhat. But at government secondary schools, Fire Rivers Junior Secondary, San Juan Secondary, Hillview College, these type of schools, is it illegal for principals to seek a registration fee from parents?
[00:15:46] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:15:46] Speaker B: Okay, so it is illegal.
[00:15:48] Speaker C: Yeah. So when you talk about a registration fee, but there are other areas that the schools ask the parents to pay for. So for example, report books.
And the PTA would ask for contributions towards the work of the pta.
When we talk about, you know, this aspect, it goes into funding for school, you know, and that whole area.
But coming back to the transfer, the timeframe by which parents are notified with daily.
It ideally should be as quickly as possible. As you said, the parents have to purchase uniform books and so on. And while waiting for the transfer they will purchase for the school that they were assigned. And to get transferred now means that they have to go and look at different uniform books is another textbooks is another area we can speak about as well too. It should be standardized because the examinations that the students write are standardized examinations on the curriculum. It's not standardized.
However, some educators they would look at resource books as well too which would enhance.
They are teaching learning. So what is standard on the book list? They will require other books that would reference books as they call should be as quickly as possible before.
So it's usually in July.
We are hopeful that at least by mid July to the end of July parents should be notified as the results of the transcript.
All right.
[00:17:37] Speaker B: I think I have one more question that had in my mind a few moments ago.
One person was asking me why does some schools charge up to charge 3,000 and up?
Those figures are very, very high. And with parents having to pay them type of figures. You see, the PTA will ask for things like report books and these kind of things. So isn't the report book under the mantra of the Ministry of Education to provide for schools or is this something separate and apart?
[00:18:04] Speaker C: Ideally. Ideally they should.
But schools have to provide the report book for the students where they cover up the, you know, the usual identification.
[00:18:18] Speaker B: Of the schools and that kind of thing. So it is. So the Ministry of Education, based on your best knowledge does not supply secondary, primary and secondary schools across the country or with the. This type of itinerary. This report.
They don't supply that. This is a. This is. This is under the school itself having to get these things done.
[00:18:39] Speaker C: Yes, yeah.
[00:18:41] Speaker B: To print and everything. The government printry.
[00:18:42] Speaker C: Okay. Not government.
[00:18:45] Speaker B: I know. That's what I'm saying. The government print. We don't get involved in this. The government.
So the principal is responsible on a budget from the Ministry or this budget is coming from the parents themselves to the pta.
[00:18:57] Speaker C: It will come through the school. Because when the ministry assigns funding to schools under certain headings online items, it does not include the report.
Wow.
[00:19:16] Speaker B: Is tutor going to look to advance this in the near future to have this addressed?
[00:19:22] Speaker C: We have been. When we speak about resources, provision of resources and funding, these areas are what we would always advocate. One, one thing that shocked me in the secondary school and that does not apply in primary school. The secondary school principal has to pay the telephone bill.
Wow. Through the funding that they get from the Ministry of Education. All right.
[00:19:46] Speaker B: To the Ministry. The Ministry of Education does provide funding for all schools.
There is a budget that goes to principals that they have to use for administrative documents like papers, ink for the printer and these kind of things. And also to pay the school phone bill.
[00:20:02] Speaker C: Yeah. And secondary, there are practical subject areas as well that they have to provide resources for physical education. They're supposed to provide clothing and shoe allowance because you can imagine, because of that practical area, and especially when you have these coming up as well in secondary schools, they have to provide, for the most part, materials for the practical areas.
These are the challenges in a shrinking budget from the Ministry of Education to our secondary schools and in some instances, a greater intake.
We have seen over the years that the Ministry would have assigned more than they usually would to some of our secondary schools. So you have additional students with less resources.
[00:20:55] Speaker B: Mr. Lumpkin, I want to thank you.
You know, my final question, but I am out of time, would have been should parents. Can parents refuse to outrightly to pay these. These registration fees?
Quickly. Should they? Can they refuse and they can.
[00:21:13] Speaker C: They can.
[00:21:13] Speaker B: But the child must be administered at the school, must be registered. The principal can deny that registration.
[00:21:18] Speaker C: No.
[00:21:18] Speaker B: Great. That's it. Thank you very much. Tutor President. We would be in touch with you in the not too distant future. Thank you for taking the call this morning and for chatting with us here on Freedom 106.5.
[00:21:27] Speaker C: You're welcome.
[00:21:28] Speaker B: Have a great day. Bye bye.
[00:21:30] Speaker A: The best insight, Instant feedback Accountability. The all new Talk Radio Freedom 106.5.
