The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is looking forward to the establishment of a Teaching Services Commission, as announced by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, saying that the entity should have the power to implement changes to correct shortcomings in the education system.

President Rudy Lovell gave support to the establishment of the commission – which prime minister Mottley disclosed in her Budget would occur during this fiscal year – during Monday’s opening ceremony of the union’s 50th Annual Conference.

Lovell told attendees that given the complex nature of the profession, the Teaching Services Commission should be seen as a priority.

“We support the announcement made by the prime minister regarding the implementation of this commission. This is not the first such announcement, but we hope that it will be the last," той каза.

“Our support is driven by the belief that the complexities and nuances of the teaching profession require specialised attention and understanding. The union’s advocacy stems from the recognition that the Ministry of Education has the biggest staff complement in government, and that the teaching service differs significantly from other sectors of the public service.

“The prime minister’s inclusion of the Teaching Service Commission in her budgetary speech signals a landmark moment for educators across Barbados,” he stressed.

Lovell suggested that the commission should ensure that focus is given to matters relating to recruitment, promotion and, if needed, the discipline of teachers.

“We hope that the establishment of this commission will also address the issue of the late payment and increments and other monies owed to teachers. We are also hopeful that the commission can lead to the ratification of various assignments in the teaching service,” he added.

Stating that the slow pace of hiring was still of grave concern to union officials, particularly given the wide number of shortages seen at all levels of the education system, Lovell added: “While the hiring of numeracy and literacy teachers is welcomed, it would be remiss of me not to address the continued teacher shortage again in some schools. Even though the evidence of this shortage is glaring, the BUT had to fight to have temporary primary school teachers reassigned in September. Despite this, the shortage persists.

“Schools are operating with inadequate staffing because the ministry is not hiring any new teachers to replace those who are on leave. The BUT receives concerns weekly from teachers who are forced to carry an additional burden because of the lack of replacement for teachers who are on leave. Междувременно, the ministry sees hiring communication specialists and stakeholder relations consultants as a priority.”

The BUT president added that there are too many unappointed teachers in the school system.

“And we are suggesting that teachers with three years’ continuous service without any written adverse report be appointed to the service.” S

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