Education Chief: Teachers not forced to get involved in Gov’t Summer Nutrition Programme

As Government’s Summer Nutrition Programme (SuN) got underway with almost 7 500 students on Monday, Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw assured that no teacher would be forced or coerced to participate in the programme that will feed and teach children over the vacation.

That commitment followed concern expressed by the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) about a memo sent out to teachers late Sunday night.

“It is a voluntary response. We are not making it mandatory for teachers to be here to supervise any of the activities; it is voluntary. If the teachers want to come out and give back, so be it, we will not turn them away,” said Dr Archer-Bradshaw who revealed there were just under 100 volunteers so far.

The BUT had endorsed the lunch and learn programme under which nursery, primary, secondary and special needs children will get hot meals Monday to Friday, from July 25 to September 2.

However, in a letter issued on Monday, President Rudy Lovell reminded union members that their participation in the initiative was not mandatory, as he expressed concern about correspondence circulated by the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training on Sunday around 11:20 p.m., which provided guidelines for principals and others.

“Item number seven suggests that teachers are scheduled to be present for the SuN programme. Please note that this can only be speaking to teachers who have volunteered,” the BUT letter stated.

A sample of the healthier options prepared for students by the School Meals Department.

“The union is very concerned about the erosion of the vacation of the principals and other members of the management team given the responsibilities as outlined in the correspondence sent. We encourage you to cherish your time away from the classroom as we prepare to face the challenges that may lie ahead in the 2022-2023 academic school year,” the union advised.

In response, Dr Archer-Bradshaw assured that the Ministry and the union were on the same page, pointing out that the two sides held talks on the matter last week.

“I would advise the teachers the same – to cherish the time that they have – and some of the teachers have actually cherished the time they have by giving back in this programme and I commend them for that,” she said at the Hindsbury Primary School where Minister of Education Kay McConney led a team of officials for a first-hand look at the start of the SuN programme.

“I am heartened by the response of all of the volunteers. We have persons from the community who have volunteered as well as retired educators, teachers, principals – all kinds of persons who have come forward to assist with this effort and I am very very pleased with what I have seen to date.

“So far, we have just under 100 volunteers and I must say that those numbers continue to grow. Even here at Hindsbury today, we have teachers who were not coerced  but they decided to come and give of their time and this is how they are cherishing their time – by giving back to the children,” the education chief added.

Meantime, Minister McConney said she was happy with the start of the programme which was rolled out at 48 centres across the island and has incorporated other summer camps.

“It’s 7 448 persons who have registered so far and . . . we expect those numbers to continue to grow over the next several weeks. We are ready, we are prepared and we have more than enough for everyone; no one will be turned away,” she said.

“We have other camps that have reached out to us and said ‘we want to partner with you as part of the SuN programme’ and they have been brought on in addition to the Government camps,” the Education Minister further disclosed.

Principal of the Hindsbury School Jacqueline Jordan said she was willing to support the programme. She is currently catering for 114 pupils but expects more to come on board.

“It’s been going pretty well. It is a splendid idea. I am the head of the school and I should be here at least to set the pace and to see how things operate. That is why I am here and it is my civic duty,” she said.

Allison Doosa-Branch, a parent of two boys, ages 10 and 12, welcomed the programme, saying it was a good idea for parents experiencing challenges.

“I think it eases the burden off the parents looking for the groceries and so on, having the meals well prepared and nutritiously done for them,” she said.

marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb