THE Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) and Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) have contrasting positions on the reopening of classes.
TTUTA has been insisting on strict guidelines for in-person studies.
BUT wants face-to-face teaching.
After a standoff, the T&T body held talks with the Ministry of Education, following which there was consensus on guidelines for the reopening of classes.
Schools are being permitted to use substitute teachers, as needed.
In Barbados, BUT has said that anything less than face-to-face learning would affect students’ education.
The Barbadian union is, however, asking the Ministry of Education to deal with overcrowding and distributes students equitably.
The body also wants repairs to schools.
BUT said having students in classrooms would help to reverse identified academic deficiencies.
The different stances of the representative unions have taken place in the lead-up to the September 6 start of the new term.
