Experiences of Teachers Assigned to the Lowest Streams in a Primary School in Central Trinidad

Abstract

This study investigated the experiences of three teachers who were assigned to the lowest stream in a primary school in central Trinidad. Data were collected through interviews. The findings revealed that teachers at the school were faced with several challenges, especially teachers of the lowest streams. The teachers were stagnated at the same position for more than five consecutive years and experienced all the challenges faced by interacting with students at the lower streams. These challenges were identified as: 1) learning problems, 2) behavioural problems that interfered with learning, 3) lack of parental involvement, and 4) the stress of having to teach low-achieving students. The teachers interviewed, based on experience, were able to identify some of the needs of students in the lowest streams.