TTUTA has weighed in on the matter of principals being asked to stop requesting money upon the registration of new students.

In a statement issued today, the union says it “totally agrees” with the circular memorandum issued by the Chief Education Officer.

However, it believes the contents and intent of the memo could have been avoided had the Ministry fulfilled its obligation in a timely and satisfactory manner.

TTUTA outlined issues faced including: insufficient or no cleaners and a lack of cleaning supplies for ECCE, a lack of proper funding for cleaning and other supplies or the upkeep of machines and printers in primary schools, and greatly reduced and untimely funding over the years for secondary schools.

At the secondary level as well, TTUTA says principals have to pay for telephone bills, repairs, material used for practical subjects including SBAs, and in the case of denominational schools, the salaries for security officers and cleaning staff.

TTUTA adds that without fundraising to supplement what is received from the Ministry, many schools would not be able to function properly.