THE MINISTRY OF Education is describing today’s planned meetings by teachers’ unions as being tantamount to industrial action. Both the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) have planned separate meetings each starting at 1:30 p.m. to discuss a number of issues.
In the case of the BUT, the meeting at its headquarters at Merryhill, Welches, St Michael is supposed to look at the docking of pay of hundreds of teachers who attended two meetings earlier this year during school hours.
The matter of the outstanding appointments of approximately 350 teachers in both the primary and secondary system is also on the agenda.
The BSTU, whose meeting is scheduled for Solidarity House at Harmony Hall, St Michael, is expected to consider among other matters the environmental health issues affecting teachers and students at Combermere School, Waterford, St Michael.
But the ministry’s circular dated today and sent to principals of nursery, primary and secondary schools said it had informed the unions the convening of a meeting “is NOT supported”.
“It is the view of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation that convening a meeting during school hours is tantamount to industrial action and has the potential to disrupt classes, said the note from acting permanent secretary June Chandler.
Chandler urged teacher to “please be guided accordingly.”
Both union have said the meetings will continue as planned. (ES)