TEACHERS IN BARBADOS will not be going on the breadline in this round of cuts.
They were given that assurance this afternoon at a meeting convened by the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) at Solidarity House held to discuss cuts in the public service – which have already commenced – appointments and other issues.
President Pedro Shepherd said the estimated 300 teachers left breathing easier after the more than two-hour discussion. Many were uneasy despite being given the assurance by Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler several weeks ago that teachers would not be displaced by the cost cutting measures.
Shepherd said several suggestions were also laid out to help Government cut costs and the various departments to function more efficiently.
These included the reinstatement of bus fares for school children; merging school boards, so that one board could cover several schools in a particular zone; a reinstatement of a registration fee for summer camps and awarding the tender to supply meals for the said camps to the School Meals Department. (YB)