The Honourable Anthony Garcia, Minister of Education thanks the thousands of teachers who came out to work today and parents who heeded to the call of “Ash Wednesday is school”.

Attendance reports collected by School Supervisors today indicate a marginal increase in the attendance of students on Ash Wednesday (14^th February, 2018) over the corresponding period in 2017. At the secondary level the attendance improved from 18.8% to 19.7% while at the primary level there was an improvement from 25.6% to 28.0%.

Teachers’ attendance continue to be greater than students’ attendance, as the secondary level, attendance of teachers ranged from 65% in the Port of Spain & Environs Education District to 80% in the St. George East Education District, with an average attendance of 71% nationally. At the primary level, teacher attendance varied from 72% in the Victoria Education District to 81% in the St. Patrick and North Eastern Education Districts, with a national average attendance of 78%. 

Students’ attendance at the secondary level was low in all Education Districts, ranging from 13% in the North Eastern Education District to 30% in the Port of Spain & Environs Education District, with a national average of 28%. At the primary level, attendance was also low in all Education Districts, ranging from 19 % in the North Eastern and the South Eastern Education Districts to 36% in the St. George East Education District with a national average of 20%.

Table: Summary of Student and Teacher Attendance

on Wednesday 14^th February 2018 (Ash Wednesday)

* All SDMS and SWAHA schools were granted a religious holiday on Wednesday 14^th February, 2018 in observance of Maha Shiva Raatri.

The consistent effort to remind parents and guardians that “Ash Wednesday is school” has gained some traction as the Ministry has recorded an incremental increase in attendance during the week following Carnival.

Since Minister Garcia took office, student’s attendance has improved by almost 10% at the primary level while at the secondary level has increased by 3.2%, as seen in the table below.

Ash Wednesday Students Attendance (%)

2015 – 2018

“Contrary to what many may think, reports confirmed the consistency of our teachers coming out to work on Ash Wednesday. Unfortunately, too many parents do not send their children to school. We need to change this to send the right message to our children,” said Minister Garcia.

Parents and guardians are urged to send their children to school on Thursday 15^th and Friday 16^th February, 2018 in order to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.