Fifty three percent of teachers boycotted classes, on the 2^nd day of the return of students.

But the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association is denying that it called on its members to stage a “sick out”.

However the union says the absence from schools yesterday was the decision of teachers.

President Antonia De Frietas said teachers recognised it was their right to rest and recover from the stress.

Dissatisfied with the Education Ministry’s handling of issues connected to the reopening of schools, the teachers are said to have absented themselves from all forms.

Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby Dolly could not give numbers when reporters approached her in Marabella yesterday morning.

But later, the Minister told the Express Newspaper, 47 percent of teachers were present at schools.

On the 1^st day of the “Blackout” last Friday, the Ministry reported that 44 percent of teachers attended classes.

Monday marked the return to physical classes for fully vaccinated Forms 4, 5 and 6 students.

Student turnout was said to be poor.

TTUTA has lamented the roll out of the Ministry’s vaccination program.

Minister Gadsby Dolly insisted the program is aimed at protecting children and teachers from the coronavirus.

On Monday some parents protested outside the Minister’s offices, saying their unvaccinated children were being treated unfairly.