We, the undersigned, are calling on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the Ministry of Education to urgently address the non-renewal of contracts for Business Operations Assistant Is (BOAs) attached to schools across the country.

BOAs are an essential part of the school system. They provide critical administrative and operational support to principals, teachers, parents and students. Their responsibilities include assisting with student registration, supporting parents with applications and online processes, maintaining administrative records, managing communications and helping schools function efficiently on a daily basis.

In November 2025, BOA contracts expired, leaving hundreds of workers uncertain about their employment and financial security. In May 2026, the Minister of Education confirmed in the Senate that approximately 294 BOA contracts had ended on April 30, 2026, and that the Ministry was reviewing the future of the position without a confirmed timeline for rehiring.

Many of these workers are experienced professionals who have dedicated years — in some cases decades — to serving Trinidad and Tobago’s schools.

As the 2026–2027 school year begins, the concern has not gone away. Instead, the Ministry has announced the deployment of 200 On-the-Job Trainees to address BOA vacancies. While we support opportunities for young people, OJT placements should not be used as a substitute for experienced, trained and appropriately employed school support personnel.

Our schools deserve stability. Our principals deserve adequate administrative support. Our students and parents deserve properly functioning school offices. And workers who have dedicated years of service deserve transparency, fairness and respect.

We are therefore calling on the Government and Ministry of Education to:

1. Immediately provide  a clear public update on the future of the BOA programme and the affected workers.

2. Prioritize the renewal/re-engagement of experienced BOAs who have previously served successfully in our schools.

3. Provide a transparent timeline for the return of BOAs to schools.

4. Address outstanding contractual payments and gratuity owed to affected workers where applicable.

5. Establish a more secure and sustainable employment arrangement for BOAs so that workers and their families are not repeatedly left in uncertainty.

We, the BOAs are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fairness, transparency, accountability and recognition of the essential work BOAs perform in our education system.

Our schools need their BOAs.

Bring them back. Renew the contracts. Respect the workers.