‘IN THE DARK’

Official says union never shared with ministry teachers were threatened by parents

By Anesta Henry

Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw is not aware of a situation in this island’s schools where teachers are being threatened with harm by parents.
She said on Tuesday that the issue has not been raised with the Ministry of Education by the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT).
The union disclosed at its 49th Annual General Conference at the Radisson Aquatica Resort on Monday that it has had to advise at least two members to seek temporary court orders as a precautionary measure after the primary school and secondary school teachers were threatened by parents.
Contacted on Tuesday, Dr Archer-Bradshaw told Barbados TODAY that she was not aware of the circumstances surrounding the revelation made by BUT president Rudy Lovell and the drastic step taken by one of the two teachers.
“The ministry has not been made aware of this by the union so what I can say is that I don’t know of it being a widespread issue affecting teachers.
“I am talking about the union has not raised it as an issue. Usually, the union would raise issues concerning teachers and we have been working to collaboratively problem solve, but this issue with regard to teachers being threatened by parents has never been raised by the union, not at least for the time that I have been here,” Dr Archer-Bradshaw said.
However, BUT President Lovell said he shared information about the matter in a telephone call with Dr Archer-Bradshaw.
Lovell said on February 17, he spoke to the Chief Education Officer about a concerning situation where a teacher at a St Thomas-based institution “was being constantly harassed and threatened by the parent”.
“I spoke to her about the matter and the principal of the school even spoke to me about the concern,” he said.
In Monday’s edition of Barbados TODAY, the BUT president lamented that parents threatening teachers was becoming a growing concern that has led to the union advising at least two teachers to take out restraining orders against the parents.
He confirmed that one of the teachers followed through with the advice.
Lovell made it clear that the BUT has zero tolerance regarding violence of any kind and will not hesitate to act in the best interest of the teaching and learning process.
He also indicated that security at some schools remained a challenge, with close to 40 per cent of the institutions being without security guards or adequate security systems.
Noting that the Ministry of Education also has a zero tolerance for violence, Dr Archer-Bradshaw said she would not condone any action by any parent that threatens any teacher.
“It will not be tolerated by the Ministry of Education,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, the Chief Education Officer advised that any teacher who has been threatened and fears for their safety should immediately notify the principal at the institution.
“And if it is a case that they feel like harm can come to them, they would notify the police,” she added.
(anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb)