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September is here again and the 2013-2014 academic has started. For yet another year, I have heard the chorus “Your application is unsuccessful”. At the end of July this year, I applied for the post of Lecturer in Mathematics/Physics at the Community College and I was called for an interview in mid-August. One week later, I was informed via telephone that I was unsuccessful. I was not surprised because I have grown accustomed to this type of shabby treatment from the chief stewards of the educational revolution.

Let me remind readers that I had re-applied for a job of Graduate Mathematics teacher at either a secondary school or the Community College since December 2010. I was told repeatedly that there is no vacancy at any of the institutions. Every one knows that over the last two years there has been a fall off in the CSEC mathematics results in the majority of secondary school across the country. At the same time I have been teaching private classes at Langley Park (2012) and Kingstown (2013) with an above average degree of success including some candidates obtaining Grade 1’s. Yet, the officials in the Ministry of Education do not think that I am qualified enough or competent enough to teach mathematics in any government institution in the land of my birth. I was competent from 1979 when I began teaching until 2010 when I contested the general elections. I was competent in 2007 – 2010 when Mr. Young, Mrs. Scott and I broke the national record in CAPE Mathematics TWICE in 3 years. Then suddenly, I became an outcast and unfit to teach students who are products of the educational revolution.

My dear readers, there are numerous opportunities out there for mathematics teachers throughout the Caribbean and I could have gone to greener pastures. However, I had to weigh a lot of factors including the fact that my son Azel was writing 11 CSEC subjects and needed my support. That sacrifice proved fruitful and I am heartened that he got eight Grade 1’s (including mathematics). I will still continue to make my contribution in mathematics, privately or part time, whereever I am needed. Many parents and students appreciate this and that is enough motivation for me to press on although there is still NO ROOM for me in the formal educational system after nearly three years in the wilderness.

Elvis Daniel

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5 replies on “After three years, still no room in the formal educational system”

  1. Mr. Daniel, I know you have to put food on your table so it’s easier said than done. Start your own learning institution and I am sure you will be patronized. Science and Math instructors are always in demand and parents will go that extra mile to make sure their children excel academically. Don’t be stressed by the PM and his band of puppets, their day is just around the corner.

  2. Many persons have telephoned me and have met me on the street and have told me that they have heard that I have been REHIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO TEACH MATHEMATICS AT ST MARTIN’S SECONDARY SCHOOL. I want to clear the air on this issue.

    Yes , I am teaching Mathematics at St Martin’s Secondary School effective Monday 2nd September 2013, on a PART TIME basis under a PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT with the board of the institution. I am teaching TWO forms 5’s and ONE form 4 for a total of 15 periods a week or 10 hours per week. As it stands at PRESENT, I will be paid for this part time service by the Institution and NOT BY THE GOVERNMENT

  3. We must not forget that Elvis Daniel is the injured party linked to an agreement which some people may consider fraudulent.

    In 2004 an agreement was signed between the Government and the Teachers Union. On that agreement appears the signature of Ralph Gonsalves. He publicly told the teachers it was the best agreement they ever had. It covered the eventuality that if a teacher ran for elections and lost, they would get their job back. Well it turned out that the agreement was unconstitutional and therefore unenforceable. Gonsalves later said that all that signed it knew at the time of signing it was unconstitutional and unenforceable. If that is true, two things spring to my mind. Gonsalves is a specialist constitutional lawyer, and also a specialist regarding the laws governing agreements. So why did he tell the teachers this was the best agreement they ever had? If all that signed knew the agreement was unconstitutional and unenforceable, they must of all discussed this aspect at and before the time of signing. In my small mind that sounds very much like conspiracy to me.

    I am not a lawyer, so perhaps the PM can explain this matter to us, on these very comment facilities kindly provided by Mr Kenton Chance.

    Perhaps the DPP would take a look and consider conspiracy.

    We know that Gonsalves knew because he told us so, we do not know if any other signatory knew, we only have Gonsalves word on that.

    I and many others have written about this topic on numerous occasions before. I have invited comment from Gonsalves, but he stays quiet.

    Mr Daniels may I apologise on behalf of all decent Vincentians here and in the Diaspora, you are a mathematical expert and the countries very best tutor, you do not deserve the treatment that has been meted out to you.

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