‘Communication gap’ blamed for teachers’ industrial action
A communication gap was identified as the main reason behind a recent standoff between the government and teachers at the Elmore Stoutt High School.
Teachers at the school have reportedly promised not to engage in future industrial action unless they give notice and allow the ministry a reasonable opportunity to address concerns and take any action necessary for the safety and well-being of the students.
A recent missive from the Education Ministry said the ministry conducted an assessment and concluded that there was a significant communication gap, which hindered its ability to fully understand and address the teachers’ concerns.
“The ministry did not receive any notice of the majority of the grievances which caused the teachers to take industrial action on 15th September 2023 or about the fact that industrial action was being contemplated,” the statement said.
The ministry said it responded to teachers’ concerns by taking various steps such as improved school facilities, grass-cutting and lunch seating arrangements. Efforts are currently underway to fill a janitorial position.
Immediate action has also been taken to address extreme classroom heat with fan procurement and ongoing air conditioning maintenance. Mould assessments are ongoing, and electrical issues have been reported to the Recovery and Development Agency.
Internet connectivity is being improved, and there’s a focus on timely curriculum resource procurement, staff space, and teacher salary reviews.
The ministry said it remains committed to addressing the concerns of teachers while maintaining order and safety within educational institutions.
It also urged that there should be a balance between addressing these interests and reminded teachers of their roles as both educators and guardians during school hours.
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if if the country is being run on on hypocrisy , how can we expect any better ( when the people who is running the County
is playing games on their own people ❓️ ), just check out the smile on their faces , and observe their lack of action for yourself
Put a team in place on the ground to facilitate the improvements.
I WONDER IF THE VIP REALIZE THAT THEY WERE THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS?
seems to be a major problem in the public service because no one remembers anything. The teachers ‘promise’ will just disappear in a few weeks when all the problems listed in this article reappear at the ESHS due to poor maintenance and band-aid repairs.
This country has not valued education for many years – witness the failure to fix the schools after Irma. No wonder standards amongst our students are falling. Invest in education (and other vital infrastructure), not concerts and freebies and government jollies and civil servants who do nothing.
Everyone pointing fingers at each other. Teachers need to take some responsibility, parents need to be more responsible, and government… we all know where they need to go!
How come they having so much issues with this high school? Isn’t this a brand new school?
so the problem with the minister is that the teachers didn’t make a look good. ok, if they had planned a surprise afternoon of honoring her, would that have been more acceptable? We got problems in this place, and BVI is a place where industrial actions are not common, so when there is a little grievance, we easy to feel shame because it shows the lack of leadership. This ship sinking, and we better get it together.
Please either suspend the constitution or declare the last election a fraud and have a do over. To the people who got paid to vote, if you all do not start talking NOW!
Aren’t inspections done regularly by the Education department to monitor the physical structure and surrounding of the school? It is clear strong processes and accountability are not in place. There was another issue last year with another school. If proper systems were in place something like this would not have happened again.
You cannot run the biggest insititition on the country but we want INDEPENDENCE
ESHS is the engine room where all foundational basis for education to move the country is built .
This comes from poor leadership
In the school administration . Those lackeys running the school
Need to see how principals like :
Jenny Wheatley
Elmore Stoutt
Authur Selwood
Melissa Amy
Sandy Underhill
Tobin
Manage the school . The administration lack leadership qualities . They need to learn how to
Respect all teachers
How to empower all their trachers
How to build relationships with parents from all
Walks of life
How to engage stakeholders of the school
Be appreciative of all members of the school
Statf regardless of their nationality
Be knowelegable in organizational structure
Build on what is already working not breaking down to build
Look at what works for the BVI not what works elsewher then they are on the road to progress
. It is a bunch of spineless , lack experience , indigenous bias ,people
THE 2023 ELECTION WAS A FRAUD. MOST OF THE VOTERS WAS PAID TO CAST VOTES. BIG FRAUD. COME ON, THE SAME INCOMPETENCE PEOPLE WERE VOTED BACK IN OFFICE.BIG ELECTION FRAUD.
how the fk any we gov standoff w teachers? they should be begging them to do whatever they ask of gov, as our ed. system is sht.
#failedstate
Education is what make us all equal. Invest in it!!
The Governor should suspend the Constitution before he leaves Island or the new incoming Governor needs to suspend the Constitution and call for a new election. THE LAST ELECTION WAS DEEP IN FRAUD. TO MANY PEOPLE WERE PAID OFF TO VOTE FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE THAT IS CALLING THEMSELVES LEADERS. MY PET DOG CAN DO A MUCH BETTER JOB LEADING THE TERRITORY. THIS PLACE IS ONE BIG MESS AND PEOPLES PATIENCE IS RUNNING OUT. FOR THIS PLACE TO GET BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE, THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.
Soon AI (artificial intelligence) will be taking over the teacher’s jobs. Its already done in some countries.
I’m with you on that. Peoples patience is running thin and you all know when a person’s patient hit the thin line what happens. This whole Island needs a new overhaul in everything.
Education is the great equalizer. Unfortunately society does not seem to understand this basic concept.