Second Trimester Calendar: Secondary Teachers Could Benefit from Four Weeks of Leave

Title: Second Trimester Calendar: Secondary Teachers Could Benefit from Four Weeks of Leave

Content: As part of the Teachers' Day celebrations, the Minister of Education, Mahend Gungapersad, has committed to reviewing certain union demands, particularly concerning the school calendar. This is aimed at realigning the holiday periods for the second trimester between primary and secondary teachers.

On the evening of Saturday, October 11, during the Teachers' Day event, a meeting was held at the Sookdeo Bissoondoyal State College in Rose-Belle, attended by approximately 450 people to celebrate this day dedicated to educators.

Yugeshwur Kisto, president of the Federation of Education Union (FEU) and the Government Secondary School Teacher’s Union (GSSTU), took the opportunity to discuss several important issues concerning teachers with Minister Gungapersad.

Among the topics discussed, the minister agreed to consider revising the school calendar. The goal is to align the holiday periods for the second trimester between primary and secondary teachers. Currently, secondary teachers have three weeks of leave, while primary teachers enjoy four weeks. If this measure is adopted, all teachers will be entitled to four weeks of leave starting in 2026.

The minister also agreed to broaden the scope of Teachers' Day to potentially include the entire educational community, not just teachers. He promised positive developments in this regard soon.

Management of "Vacation Leaves"

Another demand concerns the management of "vacation leaves". Teachers will be able to better plan their leave throughout the school year. Options like 10+9 or 12+7 days will be available, providing more flexibility. This measure will prevent penalizing schools and staff.

Regarding medical leaves, Minister Gungapersad has committed to reviewing the current rules in the third trimester. Teachers with justified medical cases will be able to exercise their right to leave without restrictions.

For Yugeshwur Kisto, these commitments represent a significant advancement. They address long-standing concerns within the profession. He praises the government's responsiveness, which shows a concern for teachers' well-being. "This marks a decisive turning point in the advancement of our cause," stated the president. "The GSSTU and FEU remain fully engaged in defending the rights, dignity, and working conditions of secondary teachers. They will continue to dialogue with the ministry to ensure these commitments lead to concrete actions."