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The Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago (PCTT) and its Presbyterian Primary Schools Board of Education (PPSBE) have appealed a High Court decision that upheld new hiring policies by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) for the recruitment of primary school teachers in denominational schools.

The church challenged the TSC’s 2021 policy to publicly advertise teaching vacancies and not automatically approve candidates recommended by denominational boards, arguing it violated the 1960 Concordat and long-standing practice. They claimed the Concordat protected their right to select teachers for their schools without a competitive process.

Justice Westmin James ruled on March 10 that the TSC acted within the law, finding the recommendations from denominational boards to be non-binding and advisory.