Radhica De Silva
Faced with 49 vacancies across 27 schools, the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago and the Presbyterian Primary Schools’ Board of Education are considering appealing a High Court ruling that dismissed their challenge against changes to the recruitment process for teachers in denominational schools.
The Presbyterian Board warned it would “strongly resist any attempt to frustrate us into giving up any of its rights secured by the Concordat by the device of mass-recruitment exercises which delay recruitment of teachers.”
On Monday, Justice Westmin James ruled that the Teaching Service Commission’s (TSC) decision to advertise for Teacher I (Primary) positions in all denominational schools was in accordance with the Public Service Commission Regulations. He also held that the longstanding practice of submitting unsolicited applications with board recommendations did not have constitutional protection.
Despite the ruling, the court affirmed that denominational boards retain the right to recommend candidates necessary to preserve the character of their schools.
In a statement from the Presbyterian Board, it was stated that “Neither the Teaching Service Commission nor the Ministry of Education can appoint a teacher to a denominational school without the approval of the Board.”
Under the new process, denominational boards must submit a list of vacancies to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, who will forward it to the Director of Personnel Administration for advertisement.
Once applications are received, the denominational boards will be provided with copies to make recommendations after conducting interviews, the Board said.
It noted that the mass recruitment exercise undertaken by the TSC in 2023 halted the usual process of appointing teachers as vacancies arose. Since then, the Presbyterian Board has been unable to recommend any new teachers from the mass recruitment applications.
The Board said it currently has 49 vacancies across 27 schools, affecting approximately 800 students. This figure does not include temporary vacancies due to teachers on special leave, maternity leave, or extended sick leave.
“Our principals, working together with the Board, have put measures in place to mitigate against learning loss by affected students. However, it does not address the real problem of filling teacher vacancies in our schools,” the Board stated.
Citing an editorial from a newspaper on March 12, 2025, the Board agreed that the TSC’s efficiency remains a concern.
“Exactly why the TSC decided to reject this practice 61 years after the Concordat is not clear. But, like most State entities, the commission is not exactly a model of efficiency. That created issues with filling vacancies,” the editorial stated.
The Board highlighted delays in the recruitment process, noting that the TSC has yet to interview applicants who applied in 2018 for senior teacher positions or those who applied in 2022 for principal or vice principal roles. Some officers have been acting in positions for up to ten years without receiving formal appointments or acting allowances. The Board also noted that a simple teacher transfer takes an average of three months to be approved.
“How then will vacancies for teachers be filled promptly to ensure classes are not without teachers? Vacancies are piling up with no attempts being made to find a solution to the problem,” the Board stated.