Minister reports progress on resolving term’s leave for teachers

Minister of Educational Transformation Senator Chad Blackman has announced that significant progress is being made to resolve the long-standing issue of term’s leave for teachers—one of several commitments his ministry is undertaking to elevate and support the teaching profession in Barbados.

In a statement marking Wednesday’s start of the third term of the 2024–2025 academic year, Minister Blackman said the issue, which has remained unresolved for over a decade, has been given his ministry’s “fullest attention” over the past eight weeks.

“We are pleased to report that significant progress has been made,” he said, although he did not provide details of that progress.

Senator Blackman also confirmed that the promised annual National Teachers’ Award will be launched to formally recognise educators for their commitment and hard work.

As part of the ministry’s wider transformation agenda, Blackman outlined several improvements designed to make teachers’ professional lives more efficient. These include digitising key services—such as real-time access to pay slips and job letters—to reduce delays and streamline administration.

“When we support teachers in excelling at their work, we create better learning environments for our children and open pathways for their success,” he said, calling on parents to partner with teachers and on society to value their contributions more deeply.

Blackman also reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to placing educators at the heart of policy decisions, with ongoing investments in professional development, technological resources, and improved school infrastructure.

Reflecting on his early engagements as minister, Blackman said he had already met with primary school teachers in the northern and central zones, the teachers’ unions, and student councils. Meetings with teachers in the southern and eastern zones are scheduled to follow.

The minister paid tribute to the critical role teachers play in shaping the nation, noting that nearly every citizen has been positively influenced by an educator. 

“We owe it to them to express our gratitude and acknowledge their influence in shaping who we are today,” he said.

Blackman also urged the private sector to join in recognising and celebrating teachers in tangible ways, as the country works toward building what he called “the number one teaching service on earth.” (PR/BT)