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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesSTUDENTS ABSENT IN RECORD NUMBERS THURSDAY

STUDENTS ABSENT IN RECORD NUMBERS THURSDAY

As of midday Thursday, Education was crunching numbers to see how many teachers failed to show up to teach classes.
At the end of the crunch, what came out was that while about 10 percent of teachers did not show up for work, 99 percent of students didn't come to school.
Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds said students were absent in record numbers.
"It would appear that parents and guardians chose to have their children stay away from school today," Simmonds said in a release from her office. "This was unfortunate, since students lost a valuable day of instruction."
Simmonds had issued a press release at midmorning reminding teachers, students and personnel that "no schools will be closed today" and that there would be no early dismissal.
Non-essential workers were given administrative leave last year, an election year, by Gov. Roy L. Schneider for three days, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Carnival week.
But Gov. Charles W. Turnbull gave one and a half days this year that did not include Thursday -— J'ouvert morning.
James O'Bryan, spokesperson for Government House, said no survey had been done of other government offices, but he "would have to believe after the governor's message that anyone who didn't show up was on annual leave."
O'Bryan said annual leave had to be applied for in advance. Anyone who was absent without leave would have their pay docked.
June Archibald, public relations director for the Department of Education, said, "The governor's message was quite clear. Today (Thursday) is not a holiday. It has never been a holiday —- except for last year."
Archibald wondered, "Where is the public outcry about this -— parents who don't send their children to school and the teachers who don't show up to teach? The schools are open and everyone is expected to show up."
Glen Smith, president of the St. Thomas-St. John Federation of Teachers, could not be reached Thursday for comment. Calls to the federation office were unanswered.
A call to the Central Labor Council was answered by Council President Luis "Tito" Morales who said he didn't think the teachers union office was open Thursday. Morales said he didn't know how to reach Smith.

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