Severe Teacher Shortage Threatens More Tomorrow Primary School

Just two days into the new school year, More Tomorrow Primary School is already facing an uncertain future. With more than thirty students and only two teachers, parents fear the severe staffing shortage could force the school to close. The Ministry of Education says no final decision has been made and will meet with families and community members tomorrow to find a way forward. News Five’s Britney Gordon visited More Tomorrow today to hear their concerns.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Parents in More Tomorrow Village are calling for urgent help as a severe teacher shortage threatens the future of their primary school. More than thirty students are relying on just two educators, including Principal Dominina Pop, who is expected to retire next year. Elizabeth Tush even relocated from Belmopan to help keep the classrooms running, but residents say the school urgently needs a lasting solution.

 

Voice of: Elizabeth Tush, Teacher, More Tomorrow Government School

“I like the place. It’s more peaceful and the kids need more education. Especially on reading. Especially on writing. I saw that they need a lot of help with that. That’s why I said I was going to stay and help these kids.”

 

The school educates children ranging from Infant One to Standard Six, but with just two teachers, all students are divided into lower, middle and upper grades. Tush explains that while they are trying their best to tailor their lessons to each student’s needs, it’s not easily achievable.

 

Voice of: Elizabeth Tush

“For me I have three classes that I’m managing, the principal has two class which is the lower division is without teachers so I’m not sure how she’s managing it.”

 

More Tomorrow Primary has faced a teacher shortage for years, despite government promises of support. Parent Jose Giron wants officials to tackle the problem at its source, because many families simply cannot afford to send their children elsewhere.

 

Jose Giron, Concerned Parent

“All my children study right here and that’s a great opportunity for the children because we can see them go to school and come back and they can come eat and get a little rest in the break time. I don’t know what is the real issue for it to get to this point but I hear they want close the school but we have to make a decision to because we already spend on unform and pay the fee.” 

 

After reports surfaced that government planned to close More Tomorrow Primary School, the Ministry of Education is setting the record straight. Education Minister Francis Fonseca says no decision has been made to shut the school. Instead, officials are working with parents, educators and community members to address the challenges and place the institution on firmer footing.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“Nobody wants to go to teach there. They say the conditions are too harsh. You have to understand, we’ve been trying. I know last year, we made accommodations to try and improve everything. We facilitated even a mother and daughter. We said it could be better, both live together, both of the teaching their. But even they have gotten frustrated. So it’s a difficult situation. It’s a small school so we have looked at options. One being whether it would be easier to provide transportation to take them somewhere else. But we’re discussing it with the community.”

 

Rising living costs, rent and transportation are making it harder to attract teachers, especially when many also pay for classroom supplies themselves. Residents are proposing teacher housing, and Village Chairman Michael Myvette says the council is ready to help keep the school open.

 

Michael Myvette, Chair, More Tomorrow Village

“Sometimes when the weather is bad then road gets flooded and then nobody can’t pass. So if we have teachers in the community, then it will be better for the students.”

 

Residents and school staff want government to provide teacher housing, saying it would help attract educators who are willing to stay and support More Tomorrow’s children. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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