March 1, 2017: The Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education says the majority of teachers in both primary and secondary schools attended school today with 81.3% in primary schools and 77.7% in secondary schools, while there was notable absenteeism of students in both primary and secondary schools with 26.5% in primary schools and 18.3% in secondary schools. Minister Garcia is again calling on parents/guardians to treat Ash Wednesday as a normal school day, “We cannot allow the situation to continue where parents/guardians are keeping their children away from school because of Carnival. The situation must be stopped.”
Speaking during a media conference, Minister Garcia said teacher attendance at secondary school level ranged from 69.1% in South Eastern Education District to 81.5% in Caroni East Education District with and average attendance of 77.7% nationally. At the primary level, teacher attendance varied from 79.1% in St Patrick Education District to 84.3% in Victoria Education District with and national average attendance of 81.3%.
Students’ attendance at the secondary level was low in all Educational Districts, ranging from 11.0% in North Eastern to 28.1% in Victoria with a national average of 18.3%. At the primary level, attendance was also low in all Education Districts, ranging from 14.2% in North Eastern to 36.3% in Victoria with a national average of 26.5%.
Table: Summary Attendance of Students and Teachers on Ash Wednesday 1st March 2017.
Minister Garcia said parents and guardians are expected to send their children to school on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd March 2017 in order to take advantage of the educational opportunities provided for them.
Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan says the Ministry of Education will continue discussions with parental bodies such as the National Parents Teachers Association and other groups to deal with high student absenteeism during Carnival week. He said it is up to parents/guardians to send their offspring to school, however, if necessary, the Ministry of Education will explore different options.
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Education District | Teachers’ Attendance (%) | Students’ Attendance (%) | ||
Primary | Secondary | Primary | Secondary | |
Caroni | 80.2
| 81.5 | 27.5 | 16.3 |
North Eastern | 80.9
| 77.1 | 14.2 | 11.0 |
Port of Spain and Environs | 79.1 | 76.7 | 29.6 | 21.1 |
St Patrick | 83.4
| 78.0 | 25.0 | 15.3 |
St George East | 81.0
| 79.7 | 27.8 | 19.5 |
South Eastern | 82.8
| 69.1 | 21.6 | 12.5 |
Victoria | 84.3
| 81.4 | 36.3 | 28.1 |
AVERAGE | 81.3
| 77.7 | 26.5 | 18.3 |