Minister for Education Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has assured the parents of students that the ministry is fully committed to appointing qualified and capable teachers.
Sayed-Khaiyum says a second round of assessment of tests will be carried out tomorrow for those that could not sit for the previous test or who previously applied and were unsuccessful in the first round of assessment.
He also apologized to the parents and teaching staff for the recent statement given by the Permanent Secretary for Education regarding the results of the English proficiency test taken by teachers and graduates. The statement was incorrect and the test was not administered on the basis of pass or fail.
The Education Minister says only teachers who met the baseline proficiency requirements have been appointed to teaching positions in Term 1.
Sayed-Khaiyum says following the second round of assessment, teaching applicants who have met the baseline proficiency requirements will be appointed to a position during Term 1.
He says assessments will be finalised and appointment lists will be announced by 18th of January with offer letters and contracts sent by the 19th of January.
The Minister for Education says schools have contingency plans in place for some teachers who will begin teaching for the second week of Term 1.
While speaking on the main purpose of the assessment, Sayed-Khaiyum says it was to help measure the effectiveness of professional development programs that would be carried out throughout the year.
The assessment covered qualifications, experience, knowledge of contemporary teaching and learning strategy and English proficiency.
He says the result of the assessment will better enable government to ensure all appointments are made on the basis of merit.
