Toxic and divisive elements within the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) are among the reasons Sean Spencer tendered his resignation late last month.
One again using his Facebook page where he made the public announcement, Spencer said until recently, he loved what he was doing as president and “willingly sacrificed my time to advance the cause”, but recognised he could not continue.
“However, by June 29, I was assured I could no longer function in circumstances where I was patently more at ease either tackling or addressing the Ministry [of Education] – and any of the agents of its directorate on any given day – than to be constantly embroiled and entangled with divisive forces within the ranks of the Union,” he wrote.
“The energy required to move forward in earnest would instead have been compelled, for example, to dispel propaganda and address lamentable falsehoods.
“Propaganda is a powerful tool and being in opposition is easier than it is to lead. Hopefully, the energies dedicated to propaganda and resistance efforts can now be aligned to the advancement of the Union in my absence.”
He also addressed the issue of resigning prior to this year’s election which was delayed because of COVID-19, a move which might be perceived as a sign of weakness by some.
“I see it as simply not continuing to allow what I deem to be toxic elements to contribute to my becoming whom or what I need not to be or become. Some have queried my decision to resign before the elections rather than after. To have gone through the motions of campaigning while feeling as I did, would have been an exercise in deceit directed toward myself and those who would have supported me during the run-in to conference and during the elections,” Spencer said.
The former president also referred to the no-confidence motion brought against him on February 6, and the remarks he made after it was defeated that he would not “preside over anarchy, chaos or disorder”.
He acknowledged he made mistakes during his tenure, pointing out “I can be extremely intense and while that may be casually misinterpreted as being dismissive or arrogant, however, it is no excuse for persecution”.
Spencer wished the Union well and thanked both supporters and detractors. (SAT)
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