The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados (CTUSAB) has voiced strong support for the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) in its ongoing fight to have term’s leave reinstated for educators.
At a press conference held Thursday at the BUT headquarters, CTUSAB General Secretary Dennis De Peiza and President Ryan Phillips affirmed the Congress’ solidarity with the teachers’ union, indicating their readiness to back any form of industrial action the BUT considers necessary in response to the government’s continued inaction on key education-related matters.
De Peiza noted that although the Ministry of Education has verbally indicated it has no objections to the reinstatement of term’s leave, this assurance has yet to be formally documented
“You would recognise that there has been no significant or any movement regarding the teachers’ issues in terms of the matter of the term’s leave. We the Congress met with the Ministry of Education on this matter, and all that we can say out of our discussions with them is that the ministry is saying that they have no issue with the restoration of the term leave.
“BUT is demanding from the ministry that place] in writing what the ministry is saying around the table; they have not communicated to the Union of Teachers in writing. So it is my word at the table, but it’s nothing to validate that,” he said.
He further added and the escalating reports of violence and indiscipline at some schools was a great concern.
He said, “The growing indiscipline in our schools and the poor examples being set by adults and even some of our leaders is a real cause for concern. It’s about time that the citizens of this country take a stand and support a call for the removal of policies which undermine discipline in our schools and have empowered children. There must be the restoration of the authority which was once entrusted to principals and teachers at schools,”
