Staff ready for school to start

Some teachers and ancillary staff are in favour of returning to the classrooms on February 21.

President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Kimberley Agard told Barbados TODAY that the teachers represented by that union are ready to resume face-to-face teaching in the next two weeks.

She made the comments following a five-hour virtual meeting today with key stakeholders including Education Minister Kay McConney, Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, Chief Medical Officer The Most Honourable Dr Kenneth George and Head of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit Ronald Chapman along with other union heads and delegates.

Agard said even with the high number of COVID-19 cases on the island teachers were still eager to return to their respective schools.

“We do not represent the lion share of teachers, however, we still have teachers within our membership; the ancillary staff we represent and of course the School Meals Service. The members that we spoke to are in favour of the face-to-face classes. The teachers primarily recognize the importance of the face-to-face classes in the learning and development of the students,” she told Barbados TODAY.

However, Agard said while her members were anxious to get back to the classrooms there were several concerns they first wanted addressed.

She said they wanted uniformed protocols across all of the island’s schools, better trained monitors, and adequate supplies.

The NUPW president said after listening to the concerns raised, the Ministry of Education promised that they would be addressed.

“Teachers want to ensure that there will be a standard procedure across the board which will be adhered to by all of the institutions and that the established protocols would not be left to the whim and fancy of the particular principal at the school,” Agard pointed out.

“They were also concerned about the availability of supplies such as alcohol and disinfectants and wipes, because in some cases the teachers said they had to buy those supplies themselves after not getting them on time or for some reason at the schools. Also of concern was the functioning of the monitors because it was understood that some monitors are not as vigilant at some schools.

“But the assurance was given from the Ministry of Education that the monitors will be trained again and that the supply issue would be addressed and that there would be a standard protocol for the principals and teachers to follow across the board,” Agard added. randybennett@barbadostoday.bb