Teachers’ unions are set to meet with their members over the next few days, following what sources described as contentious talks with Ministry of Education officials on Tuesday about planned measures for the return to face-to-face classes in two weeks.
The heads of both the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) confirmed to Barbados TODAY that several issues were raised at the five-hour meeting that would require feedback from members.
Barbados TODAY understands that while there was agreement on some matters, the overall tone of the meeting with union leaders and senior education officials was a contentious one, with some persons close to the situation indicating that “February 21 will be the day that students return to the classrooms regardless of what happens”.
Among the issues discussed were the recent spike in COVID-19 infections, the capacity of schools to hold students and maintain social distancing and other protocols within the classroom setting, as well as the repair and maintenance of some school plants.
In attendance were Minister of Education Kay McConney, Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, Deputy Chief Education Officer Joy Adamson, other Ministry of Education representatives, Chief Medical Officer The Most Honourable Dr Kenneth George, Head of the COVID Monitoring Unit Ronald Chapman, principals of private and public primary schools, officials of all the teachers’ unions, and other trade unions and associations linked to education.
BUT president Rudy Lovell declined to disclose the outcome of the talks before meeting with the union’s members.
However, he expressed disappointment that after the morning consultation with union reps, education officials met with teachers from around 2 p.m.
“It was pointed out to the Minister that calling a meeting with teachers on the same day as the meeting with trade unions prevented us from having a dialogue with the membership after hearing the ministry’s position. Despite the BUT’s call, Minister of Education Kay McConney, though willing to apologise, still moved forward with the said meeting,” Lovell told Barbados TODAY.
He maintained that was “a serious matter” that could “significantly impact trade union bodies”.
BSTU president Mary-Anne Redman told Barbados TODAY she planned to meet with her members within the next two days. However, she said that based on previous discussions, many of them were of the view that the timing for the full reopening of schools was not right, especially in light of the hundreds of new COVID-19 cases being recorded daily over the last few weeks and the high infection rate of persons under the age of 18.
“As a union, our concern is for the safety of all of the persons using the school plants. The teachers have their statistics and they tell you they are concerned,” she said.
“They are concerned, too, about the removal of the 70 per cent vaccination threshold for students and staff at secondary level that was put forward initially as the prerequisite for face-to-face. There is also concern about the movement from six feet to three feet for physical distancing in the schools, especially in the light of the removal of that 70 per cent vaccination threshold. So, the teachers are concerned as they see that leading to increasing levels of infection,” Redman further explained.
The BSTU boss indicated that teachers were also worried about the number of students who will have to use public transportation to get to school, which they believe could increase the chances of contracting COVID-19.
Asked if teachers had given any indication whether they would return to the classroom on February 21 if their concerns were not addressed, Redman said she was not in a position to say since she was yet to meet with the wider membership “and hear what their thoughts are on the matter”.
Last Saturday, scores of parents and children protested outside Government headquarters on Bay Street to vent their frustration with the continued closure of schools, demanding that officials stick to the February 21 date.
They had charged that teachers seemed reluctant to go back to the classroom.
Redman said while there have been suggestions that unions were holding up the return to in-person teaching, that was not the case.
“I just want to disabuse the minds of persons that unions have no control as to when schools are scheduled to open for face-to-face classes,” the BSTU president said. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb
