BUT stands firm on face-to-face classes

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is sticking to its guns in calling for face-to-face classes to commence on March 7.

When contacted for comment on the outcome of yesterday’s meeting with officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, BUT president Rudy Lovell told Barbados TODAY he first had to update the union’s members before he could make a statement.

“I would like to provide that update to my members first. I have not gotten a chance to do that and I would not like them to just take up the paper and read what they should have heard from the leader,” Lovell told Barbados TODAY.

However, a source who was in yesterday’s meeting told Barbados TODAY that the BUT and the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union (BSTU) maintained their positions that the proposed February 21 restart date was too soon.

Earlier this week, Lovell proposed that school be delayed for two weeks. He said during this time improvements could be made to school plants across the island.

He said these included an improvement of ventilation systems, adequate water supply for sanitation and proper spacing for social distancing.

The BUT president has contended that while some teachers are eager to get back to the classrooms there was a need for clearly defined safety protocols at all schools as well as the provision of safety materials for both students and teachers.

Efforts to contact president of the BSTU Mary Redman proved unsuccessful. (RB)