Unions flag ‘lack of consultation’ but back free school breakfast plan

Two of the island’s largest unions have endorsed the Ministry of Education Transformation’s introduction of free breakfast for all primary school pupils from September but criticised the department for failing to consult worker representatives before going public.

Both the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) and the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) said they only became aware of the plan after it was announced, warning that questions remain about how the initiative will affect staff and school operations.

NUPW Deputy General Secretary Wayne Walrond, said the union had not been contacted by either the ministry or the School Meals Department.

“I can tell you I’m not aware of any discussion held with the union. I heard these things in the media,” Walrond told Barbados TODAY.

“I have not received any communication from the Ministry of Education or School Meals Department about the whole arrangement, who will be involved. We have not been informed of that.”

Walrond said the union therefore could not comment on how the programme would operate or whether it would involve existing workers.

“So we can’t speak to it. We can’t really speak to it. I can’t tell you if they’re going to be using these workers. Or if they’re going to operate with contractors. But I have not received any communication.”

Barbados Union of Teachers President Rudy Lovell also said the union also had not been consulted before the policy was announced.

While supporting the breakfast programme’s objective, Lovell sought clarity on how the programme will work – and whether teachers would be required to be involved in serving breakfast before classes begin.

“If breakfast is to be served before the official start of the school day, who will be responsible for supervising students during this period?” he asked.

“It must be clearly stated whether the ministry expects existing staff to supervise this process or whether designated personnel will be assigned.”

Walrond also stressed that consultation with worker representatives forms an important part of sound industrial relations, particularly where policy decisions could affect working conditions.

“These types of arrangements will be good to discuss with workers’ representatives also. I think that would be good industrial relations. Anything to do with the student population by extension will have something to do with the non-student population.”

Lovell raised similar concerns, warning that without adequate staffing the programme could place additional pressure on teachers and school personnel.

“Will additional staff be hired to manage the distribution of meals and student oversight? The smooth functioning of any new programme depends on adequate human resources,” he said.

“Without additional staffing, there is a risk of placing undue strain on teachers, administrative staff, and ancillary workers.”

Both unions indicated that school workers themselves may not yet have received details about the programme.

“The workers themselves probably are not aware either. They are probably hearing it through the media,” Walrond said.

Some school meals workers also told Barbados TODAY they were awaiting guidance from management on how the initiative will be rolled out.

Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman announced the programme on Wednesday, revealing that all primary school students will receive free breakfast before the start of the school day from September 2026.

Speaking at the Childhood Obesity Prevention Youth Health Summit at the Sandals Royal Ballroom, Blackman said the initiative forms part of the government’s education transformation agenda aimed at improving student health, concentration and learning outcomes.

“We have taken a very firm decision that we will ensure that even for breakfast, at primary schools all across the country, in September this year, all of our children will have breakfast at schools before they start their day,” he said.

The minister said the decision followed repeated observations by teachers and behavioural specialists that some children arrive at school without eating, affecting their focus and behaviour in the classroom.

Up to one in four students begin the school day without a meal, Blackman said.

In a press release on Thursday night, the ministry said it “will convene a series of strategic stakeholder consultations in the coming months. These engagements will involve workers’ unions, teachers, principals, school administrators, service providers, and parent representatives to ensure that the systems and logistics required to sustain the programme are carefully designed and effectively implemented”.

Further details regarding the programme and stakeholder consultations will be shared in the coming weeks and months, the statement noted.

Meanwhile, Lovell said the union remains willing to work with the government to ensure the programme succeeds.

“The Barbados Union of Teachers stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue with the ministry to discuss these concerns,” he said.

“With proper planning, consultation, and resource allocation, this initiative can become a transformative measure that supports both the nutritional needs and academic success of our primary school students.”

Lovell described the programme as a “significant and commendable investment” in children’s well-being and academic readiness: “Research consistently demonstrates that students who begin the day with a nutritious meal are better able to concentrate, participate actively in lessons, and achieve improved educational outcomes.”