PM vows to tackle teachers’ COVID concerns

On the back of emergency meetings by the teachers’ unions over the last 48 hours to discuss this year’s Common Entrance examination and a possible return to face-to-face classes for the third term, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has promised to deal urgently with education matters.

In her address to the nation from Ilaro Court on Thursday, Mottley said: “I only today just received a note from the Ministry of Education, which has to be the subject of discussion on the Common Entrance Exam next week, but the Minister of Education is going to have to be in discussions with teachers and others.”

In a letter to trade unions, Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson sought their advice on a new date for the Eleven-plus examination of July 20 and not June 22 that was proposed given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adamson explained that Class Four teachers had requested more time to prepare students for tests.

The letter also advised that Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George has recommended that students return to the classroom environment as soon as possible and indicated that the Ministry of Health and Wellness was facilitating vaccination of all teachers and ancillary staff in the next phase of vaccinations. He also said that officers have been identified from the COVID-19 Monitoring Team to work specifically with schools and will commence assessments of school plants from Tuesday, March 9.

Mottley noted that as the Easter vacation approaches, further announcements would have to be made as to what would be permitted.

“We are conscious and are sensitive to the fact that there are different needs for different categories of children, and that some children may require more intense support, and therefore, it is urgent that those meetings be had next week, and by the next time that we speak, we should be in a position, if not before, to advise you on what the arrangements are for schools,” the Prime Minister said,

On Wednesday, the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union met, followed by talks Thursday in the Barbados Union of Teachers.

The two unions are scheduled to meet with the Ministry of Education on Friday to discuss the Common Entrance Examination and the vaccination of teachers, among other issues.

Daycare facilities and nurseries are to reopen their doors on Monday.
(BT)