Ministry calls on BUT to talk

The Ministry of Educational Transformation on Thursday expressed “disappointment and genuine shock” at the Barbados Union of Teachers’ (BUT) decision to stage industrial action, urging the union to “return to the table of dialogue immediately” to resolve the long-standing issue of term’s leave for teachers.

In the meantime, the ministry is bracing for continued disruption. With the BUT sick-out, which began on Thursday, set to continue on Friday, officials confirmed that schools will remain open, with trainee teachers on standby to fill in for unionised staff participating in the industrial action.

At Thursday’s press conference, Minister of Educational Transformation Senator Chad Blackman described the BUT’s decision to call a two-day sick-out just days before the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (BSSEE) as both “unfortunate and unacceptable”,

“The ministry’s door is open and has been open and will remain open,” Senator Blackman said. “Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue – that is the foundation of sound industrial relations. We have made it abundantly clear to all parties involved that this process was never broken.”

The controversy centres around the long-standing issue of term’s leave for teachers—an unresolved matter that the minister acknowledged dates back 11 years, predating the current administration. While affirming that the government is committed to settling the issue, he warned that industrial action at this stage could jeopardise student outcomes and damage public confidence in the education system.

“I’ve been in this job for two weeks, but I do not run from problems,” the minister said. “This is an 11-year issue that we are on the cusp of resolving. Now is not the time for disruption, particularly with our children so close to sitting one of the most critical exams of their young lives.”

Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw described the union’s actions as premature and misaligned with the ongoing dialogue between the ministry and the teachers’ unions, including the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU).

“It was very surprising for me… to learn that the ministry had until 4 p.m. [Wednesday] to deliver a verdict on term’s leave,” she said. “Even after explaining that we are closer to a solution than ever before, the BUT proceeded with strike action. That was both baffling and disappointing.”

Dr Archer-Bradshaw confirmed that all 105 public schools opened on Thursday, though six experienced staff shortages by midday. These included Belmont Primary, Arthur Smith, St Lawrence Primary, Workmen’s Primary, Sharon Primary, and St Jude’s Primary. She was quick to clarify that none were shut down.

“In some schools, as few as three out of 18 teachers reported. But let me be clear—these schools were not closed. Our decision to keep schools open reflects our respect for students, parents, and the many teachers who remain committed to their duty,” she said.

She praised those teachers who defied the sick-out and turned up for work: “All teachers and principals who showed up—literally and figuratively—deserve our gratitude. Our students depend on you, and today you showed them that their future matters.”

Senator Blackman made appeals to both unionised teachers who participated in the sickout and BUT President Rudy Lovell. 

As students prepare for the BSSEE on May 6, he urged teachers to prioritise stability in the education system.

“Let’s not allow politics to pollute the classroom,” Senator Blackman said. “This is not a time for divisiveness. It is a time for leadership, maturity, and putting our children first.”

He added: “I genuinely believe Mr Lovell means well. He may not declare his political colours, and that’s fine, but he must return to the table. The livelihoods of teachers, the education of children, and the future of Barbados are at stake.”

When Barbados TODAY reached Lovell for a response, he declined to comment.

Both Senator Blackman and Dr Archer-Bradshaw raised concerns about communication gaps between union executives and their members. The minister noted that teachers had privately expressed frustration at being left in the dark regarding the progress of negotiations.

“Teachers have told me: ‘Minister, you met with my union, but I wasn’t informed of anything.’ That lack of communication fuels unrest, creates confusion, and undermines trust,” Senator Blackman said.

While acknowledging the legitimacy of industrial action in principle, he reiterated that it must be used only as a measure of “ultimate last resort”—particularly in education.

“The children are the cornerstone of our society, and teachers are the foundation,” he declared. “We cannot let short-term grievances jeopardise long-term progress.”

The ministry confirmed it would continue talks with the BSTU and remains open to dialogue with the BUT.

Senator Blackman again also questioned the timing of the BUT’s action, given its proximity to the recently announced resignation of St James North MP Edmund Hinkson and the imminent by-election which will see him (Blackman) contesting a seat in Parliament for the first time.

“Is it a coincidence that hours after a Member of Parliament declared their resignation, a sick-out notice was circulated by the BUT? Is it a coincidence that senior union members are recent political candidates for the Democratic Labour Party?” he questioned.

The minister stopped short of directly accusing the union of political motives. But he named two active BUT officials who are aligned with the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP). 

Insisting that the classroom must remain apolitical, Senator Blackman added: “Education is not the sector to play politics with. I will not allow our children and their futures to be caught in the crossfire of partisan games.”

Permanent Secretary Kim Belle provided some background as to why the term’s leave framework was adjusted in the first instance. She explained that under a government restructuring programme in 2013 under the previous DLP administration, the teaching profession, unlike other public service workers, did not undergo job cuts. Instead, she said, a decision was made to alter the term’s leave arrangement to cut down on the government’s wage bill at the time. She broke down in detail the multiple meetings the stakeholders engaged in over the years.

Belle added: “The Ministry of Education supports the position about the reinstatement of the pre-2014 position. We are not the ministry with responsibility for conditions of service, so we needed to have that dialogue also with our sister ministry who has that responsibility.

“We will continue to engage to make sure that when this process is completed, it is done in a comprehensive manner, because while we would support the term’s leave, we need to recognise also that when someone is on leave… we must have a replacement. So we need to make sure that when this matter is determined that no one is negatively impacted in any way, and principally our children can receive the tuition that they require when they go to school, and in a quality way.” 

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb