A total of 703 junior teachers were added to the teaching service last year, while 113 teachers were dismissed, according to the Teaching Service Commis-sion (TSC).
In addition, 217 senior posts were filled, while 183 trained Class 1 Grade I and Class III teachers from the Cyril Potter College of Education were also appointed and placed, the TSC said in a press statement.
In selecting persons as junior teachers, the TSC said it continued its policy of appointing matriculated graduates of secondary schools—those who would have passed English Language and Mathema-tics with acceptable grades—as Temporary Qualified Masters and Mistresses. These selectees attended orientation sessions arranged by the TSC, where they were encouraged to remain in the profession and upgrade themselves by enrolling in Teacher-Training and other institutions.
The promotion exercise to fill the vacancies of heads, deputies and senior teachers was highly competitive, although some applicants failed to meet the established criteria. “The absence of suitable housing for teachers in many hinterland and riverain communities made it difficult to encourage teachers from the coastland to accept postings to schools in those areas,” the TSC said.
In exercising its disciplinary function, the TSC said 60 of the 113 teachers dismissed failed to give adequate statutory notice. Appropriate action was also taken against teachers who caused classes to be left unattended by attending the university without approval of release.
The TSC also said it took stern action against an increase in persistent unpunctuality and poor attendance, which it noted is a sore point in the education sector. Similarly, it said stern action was taken in response to improper conduct by some teachers and complaints of financial impropriety.
Further, the TSC Cnoted that it took an uncompromising approach to more serious cases of sexual misdemeanours, inappropriate teacher-student relationships and pornography.
Stern action was also taken against those who flouted the education code on administering corporal punishment in schools.
The TSC said these actions were taken in keeping with its Constitutional mandate to appoint, promote, transfer and discipline teachers in the nursery, primary and secondary schools countrywide.
