Yesterday’s nationwide roadblocks by police left thousands of workers and school children stranded in hours of gridlocked traffic which caused many to return home frustrated and upset. But those who made it to their destinations were sent scurrying for the doors early as news spread that officers intended to resume the action around 2 pm.
Confirming that the action had impacted both staff and student turnout at schools across the country yesterday, officials of the Ministry of Education said many school principals opted to dismiss classes early. The situation was similar in Tobago, officials said. The ministry said there would be no consequences for students who missed school or arrived late for classes.
Questioned about whether or not the action had disrupted end-of-term exams, as school closes on Friday for the two-week Easter break, officials said many schools had already completed exams but principals had the authority to rearrange or postpone further exams. Officials of the T&T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) refused to condemn the police action yesterday. TTUTA first vice-president and acting president Antonia De Freitas said: “The police have their job to do and they were just doing their job today (yesterday).”
She said she believed things would be put in place for schools to complete their activities for the end of term. However, she said they had contacted the chief education officer to alert him to the clause in the 1998 collective agreement n which notes teachers cannot be penalised for their absence in “unusual or extraordinary circumstances.” Senior officials at the Licensing Division also distanced themselves from the early morning roadblocks, which were carried out during the peak hour commute. One official said: “Many of our officers were also caught in it and had to return home.”