Unions to continue talks with Ministry on start of new school year

The country’s largest teachers’ union will continue negotiations with the Ministry of Education following a week of dialogue that sought to map out definitive protocols for the start of the new school year.

But its leaders are hoping for better communication from the relevant government ministries to improve relations prior to and after the start of school.

Despite what he described as “bad faith” negotiations by the Ministry of Education resulting in the unions boycotting this week’s talks, president of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Pedro Shepherd on Friday admitted that the union was “duty-bound” to represent its members.

“To date, no one is clear about what the commencement of school will look like for September. As you are aware, the consultations are ongoing and the BUT is, therefore, prepared to meet with the Ministry of Education prior to the opening of schools to ensure that the reopening of schools is done in a manner to ensure that the safety and health of all is paramount,” Shepherd said in a statement.

“We are therefore hoping that there will be improved communication and information sharing between the Ministry and ourselves as we move forward. The union itself has to engage its membership prior to the start of the new school term and once we are clear on the stated guidelines and protocols to be put in place, we will seek to communicate these to the entire membership of the Barbados Union of Teachers,” he added.

Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Cynthia Forde and Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Dwight Sutherland concluded this week’s talks on Friday with teachers from the country’s nursery schools and special needs institutions.

Earlier in the week, they met with primary and secondary school teachers to discuss a range of issues that reportedly went beyond the mere restart of school.

But with just over two weeks before teachers return to the classroom, there has been no word no definitive protocols in place, although numerous options have been tabled.

Like educators at other levels, those present on Friday indicated that they were in favour with blended approaches that incorporate face-to-face learning with online instruction. However, the uncertainty is unnerving for some.

“We live in a technological era, so we need to use the technology that we have,” said Tobias Waldron, a nursery school teacher.

“They spoke about having some students come to school in the morning and others in the afternoon, and that is a bit tricky. I don’t agree with that one. They also spoke about some students coming on certain days, while others come on other days. So, I can see some of those working if we are given greater access to technology,” he added.

Another teacher who preferred to remain anonymous said she was excited about helping very young children adapt to the new realities of the COVID-19 environment.

“I heard some very positive things, and I hope that they really happen, but I have no problem with going back into school. I am very excited, actually. At nursery school, we actually socialize students, and that is what I will be doing, but with things like wearing masks,” she said.

Others, however, are concerned about the risk of enforcing physical distancing and masks on young children.

“Some of the teachers wanted to know about some of the concerns surrounding wearing masks, because it is going to be very hard to enforce if they drop on the floor or wear other children’s masks. To me, children under four shouldn’t have to wear a mask,” the nursery teacher added.
(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)