Future participation for CTF grim

Future participation of the Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF) in the in-service training workshop looks bleak.{{more}}

That is due to lack of sponsorship.

Speaking at the launch of the 2011 workshop yesterday, July 11, Ronald Clarke, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU) said that the proposal that CTF submitted to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for funding had been denied.

The CTF has been a significant partner in providing training to this country’s teachers.

“CTF has been on board for years,” Clarke told SEARCHLIGHT.

He added that there was a brief break, but that the relationship had been re-established in 1994.

Clarke explained that the CTF’s contribution has been significant over the years, amounting to over EC$360,000 to ensure the staging of the summer workshop for teachers. These funds originated from the organization’s trust fund.

He further explained that the overall funding was enormous, as the Canadian facilitators also paid for their own accommodation.

Luckily, the 2012 workshop is not going to be affected; however, Clarke said that the SVGTU will now have to work out the logistics to support the visiting facilitators.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Ralph Gonsalves has pledged that he will find funding for next year Clarke said, but made an appeal to the business community to come on board. (DD)