The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

URIAH McPhee Primary School did not return to classrooms yesterday because of a dispute between teachers and a senior education official.

The Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, nonetheless, said more than 150 public schools opened yesterday.

Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) president Belinda Wilson accused acting Deputy Director of Education Janice Moss of bullying teachers at Uriah McPhee and interfering with their school reopening plans.

“This morning, the administration and teachers, along with the union representatives, were working out how best to have the children in school and to begin teaching based on the school not being ready and fully prepared,” Mrs Wilson told The Tribune.

“However, the acting deputy director, Janice Moss, she came with her own ideas and advice that was unsolicited by us, and it caused the teachers to close down and they did not take the advice that she gave. We do not welcome any advice from her, and hence, the children were sent home and the teachers did not teach.”

Mrs Wilson said the official recommended staggered learning, a type of learning where students come in batches.

“She needs to know her place and stop interfering with what it is the administration and teachers had planned to do,” Mrs Wilson said.

Ms Moss declined to comment when The Tribune contacted her.

“We were disappointed and humbly apologise to parents, students and teachers that due to a number of issues, all solvable, we were unable to accommodate students at Uriah McPhee Primary School today,” the ministry said in a statement.

“We expect that all issues at that school will be resolved and classes will resume (Tuesday) as directed by the school on a staggered basis for orientation.”

Mrs Wilson said the union would give contractors seven days to complete school repairs.

She cited issues with the air conditioning unit on the second floor of Uriah McPhee, saying the unit is not working.

“We visited Woodcock Primary School. They’re unable to use the sixth grade block but the contractor, I was in contact with him, they will do their work in the evenings,” she said. “I haven’t been able to get a timeline from them as to when that work will be completed.

“There are several departments that are impacted at Government High, so that’s guidance, the new special unit, cosmetology, physical education but teachers were able to go into their homerooms today.

“We have Rock Sound Primary, Wemyss Bight Primary in Eleuthera where some work is being done there.”