UWI hosts virtual discussion on COVID-19’s impact and the way forward for teachers and preschools
There has been little to no public discussion about the impact of Covid-19 on the Early Childhood (EC) sector. Yet the situation is dire for many teachers in Trinidad and Tobago. Private preschools continue to close down and fully trained teachers (mainly women) are unemployed. In the silence, too, many teachers have earned nothing for the last five to six months. Our nation is at the crossroads where gains from heavy government expenditure on buildings and staff training to improve quality EC teaching, is threatened. Teachers feel undervalued. Many who were attracted to the profession by Government’s promotion of an expanded and modernised EC sector, feel hurt that EC was not prioritised to receive Government grants to keep preschool teachers and preschool businesses afloat.
Those are some views which prompted The UWI Early Childhood Caravan, a group dedicated to supporting young children’s development and learning through community outreach activities, to conduct a virtual discussion forum for teachers. Titled “Chat and Chai: The Impact of Covid-19 on ECCE in Trinidad and Tobago”, the August 13 forum also included parents and other stakeholders. Some 60 participants and 13 facilitators sipped tea in their homes as they virtually discussed the impact of Covid-19 on their ives and EC in Trinidad and Tobago.
Participants spoke about needing technology training to switch to remote teaching. Some said they could barely afford mobile phone data which they use for teaching, their children’s schooling and sometimes even share with a neighbour. Others were concerned about supporting parents to teach their 3 to 5 year old children at home. Teachers also discussed issues like underprivileged families, low literacy parents, a lack of computer and internet access, and children with special needs. Stress management in a period of uncertainty was also an issue for teachers and parents.
Teachers were also concerned about the lack of recognition they receive. EC is not yet included in the Education Act as part of the formal education system of Trinidad and Tobago. However, teachers have certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s and master’s degrees even up to PhDs in the sector. Our country signed international agreements, established an EC Division, disseminated curriculum and draft operating standards in a move towards universal preschool education. With so many working mothers today, EC services is an essential service.
Enrollment records for 3 to 4 year old children showed that 19,789 or 78 per cent of our children attend private preschools with the other 22 per cent go to Servol, government assisted and Ministry of Education schools (Ministry of Education ECCE Division, 2011). However, there is little spotlight on the fact that there will be no places for many children if private preschools, mainly in rented properties, continue to close down. Teachers are scared. Many teachers in government service who normally pray not to lose their jobs at the biennial interview for contract renewal, now have the additional fear of possible “pandemic cutbacks” on staff.
Many countries have rushed through legislation and offered financial packages to protect early childhood education programmes in response to COVID-19. We should do the same. Our EC sector and teachers are crying out for help to prevent collapse.
We at The UWI Early Childhood Caravan are doing our part. In fact, we had a second discussion titled, “Chat and Chai 2: Straight Talk” on August 26th. Clinical psychologist and member of The UWI COVID-19 Task Force Dr Katija Khan graciously attended and advised teachers on pandemic coping strategies and where to get help. We hope targeted government support, including financial assistance for this essential service in crisis, will soon be forthcoming.
