Education minister says meeting was ‘a huge success’

Churches, community centres and even the Wildey Gymnasium have all been identified as possible makeshift classrooms if more space is needed when schools reopen next month, Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw has revealed.

And after a four-hour meeting with secondary school teachers, she revealed that no concerns had been expressed about their ability to meet the September 21st deadline set for the restart.

Despite reports of a poor turnout, Bradshaw hailed the first in the series of meetings “a huge success”. The meeting also included Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Dwight Sutherland and Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Cynthia Forde. The latter two ministers were there to discuss possible alternative venues for classes. Chief Environmental Officer Ronald Chapman also attended the session to give guidance on the implementation of key Coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols.

During a press briefing after the discussions, Bradshaw explained that principals and staff from each school will meet to discuss arrangements specific to their individual institutions.

“The view is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach that we can possibly take to reintroduce students into the face-to-face environment. But I think there is a general feeling that a blended approach, where we couple face-to-face with the use of technology, is perhaps the best way to go,” she said.

“Thankfully, my colleague ministers are willing to work with us, whether it is with the churches to be able to provide spaces and use community centres if we have to, to be able to expand the offerings of available locations. I think even the gymnasium is open as well, where we might have to do a lecture-style type session for students,” she explained.

The arrangements for this week’s meetings became an area of contention after union leaders took issue with a deviation by the ministry from the previously agreed process of dialogue. According to some reports, just under 350 of an estimated 1300 teachers attended the talks which were not supported by the unions.

Nevertheless, some members from the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) and the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) attended in small numbers along with principals and some un-unionized colleagues. They all explained that their attendance was based on a desire to hear directly from their employer. Bradshaw meanwhile, explained that the decision to hold it in that way was aimed at improving communication between the ministry, its employees and their representatives.

“There was no issue expressed that the 21st could not be the date. [Teachers] just want an opportunity to be able to get the tools to be able to do their job. Therefore I am keen to hear what the other teachers have to say and we will obviously come back and have some discussions. If the date has to move, we will have the discussion with the public, but it is not until we have had the full discussion with all of the stakeholders and get a perspective on how everyone feels.

“The fact of the matter is that I have been to union meetings as well and I have never seen the majority of teachers at primary or secondary schools in attendance at their meetings. There are some people who in any grouping will be vocal, while others will sit quietly and watch and put things in motion. I don’t think that teachers are very different, whereas some like to come out and participate in discussions and others don’t,” said the education minister, who added that those who did not attend could email their concerns to the ministry.

Other issues raised surrounded the sanitization of the school plant, protocols for teachers with underlying ailments and the need for arrangements that suit educators with children to look after.

On Wednesday, officials will meet with the teachers and principals of primary schools, followed by nurseries and special needs schools on Friday. (kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)