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Teachers need more rest time

by Barbados Today
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At least one teachers’ union has doubts about the feasibility of a September 21st start to the school year arguing that educators are still resting from the rigours of online instruction and would need additional time for planning in this COVID-19 environment.

As information about the terms and conditions of a “full” return to classes trickle into the public domain, General Secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Herbert Gittens revealed that the representative body, in association with “the other unions” has voiced some concerns about the restart date.

“Teachers are tired. Teachers really need a nice vacation and break before rushing back in and we don’t think we should be calling the teachers out right now to start these discussions. So that is why we thought that maybe we should be given a little bit more time to do things properly, so that when we go in, we can go in ready to get teaching and learning happening in the best possible way,” Herbert told Barbados TODAY.

“So we asked for an extension…because really and truly, school ended on the 24th of July and teachers are on holiday. Teachers worked hard during that extended term 3. School re-opened June 15, teachers worked through the vacation, but then the term was extended all the way down to the 24th [of July], and online teaching takes a lot out of you,” the general secretary further contended.

On Friday afternoon, a memorandum from the union informed its approximately 2100 members of a “shift system” being proposed for the teachers of the infants, while those from class one up to the secondary level would have classes delivered using a “blended approach” that incorporates face-to-face and online classes.

Teachers have also been advised against attending a series of meetings next week with Education Minister Santia Bradshaw until they have first met with their unions.

“Given the tremendous task of planning for the organisation of school in September, the union is seeking an adjustment to the start date of the school term to provide adequate planning time for the school personnel,” the memo further informed.

Gittens told Barbados TODAY that the ministry has been asking individual school boards to submit plans for the re-opening – a request that will take some time to be fleshed out with staff.

“For this to happen really effectively and properly… we need to sit with the staff to ensure that everybody has an input in determining how best to organise the approach for September. So I am not so sure that the 21st is the best day, but we are going to continue to work with the ministry and negotiate and dialogue and discuss, and we hope that we will get the fullest cooperation with the partners to ensure that everything is done properly,” he explained.

The BUT General Secretary acknowledged that the re-opening of schools is “paramount”, but in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, he stressed that a duty of care is owed to all stakeholders.

“We have been doing well enough that we don’t have community spread, because community spread can put us back where we were previously in terms of locking down and all of that and I know the country can’t afford that right now.

“But at the same time, we still have to play it safe, follow the protocols and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and ensure that what we do is done in a safe environment. The union is going to be vigilant and work closely with the ministry [of Education], the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to ensure a safe opening,” Gittens pledged.
(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)

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