The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING a union threat to pull teachers and shut down two schools if the principals are not removed, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said yesterday the schools will open as scheduled and he expects all teachers to report to work.

Speaking outside Cabinet yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald said he was “disappointed” that Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) president Belinda Wilson had taken the matter to the press, promising to pull 130 teachers from what the union says are a belaboured school in New Providence and one in Grand Bahama.

Ms Wilson would not reveal the name of the schools or principals, but said she would do so if Mr Fitzgerald fails to meet the demand of the union, teachers, parents and members of the community surrounding the campuses, to remove the principals.

Yesterday, Mr Fitzgerald explained the issue in question has been discussed and his ministry “sees no issues” with school opening, next week.

“The schools are prepared. We’re finalizing the painting, this week, and the cleaning of the grounds and we have no major issues from that standpoint. The teachers will be in place as well,” he said.

“With regard to the issue raised by the president of the union with regard to sit-out of school in Nassau and one in Grand Bahama. I’ve had the opportunity to review the situation, to discuss it with the PTA, as well as with the school boards at both of the schools I knew she was concerned about.

“I’m satisfied now that the principals will be returning to school and that they have the support of the majority of teachers as well as administrators and school boards and PTAs at those various schools.

“Having said that, I expect that all teachers will report to work on Monday morning – no industrial dispute has been filed, as far as I’m aware of – and any teachers that do not report will understand that, as far as I’m concerned, they are withholding their services and they know what course of action I will take after that; so I expect that they will report to work.”

Mr Fitzgerald said he has spoken with the principals regarding the issues that were raised by Ms Wilson and – “we have addressed those and we expect to have a smooth transition for the new school year.”

He said it was “unfortunate” that Ms Wilson would make her concerns public as he and Ms Wilson had been attempting to work out the problems, privately, and the issue in question does not go against the industrial agreement.

“She had already spoken to me about it and she and I have addressed many issues in the past and I would have anticipated if she would have waited for me to do my investigation and had a response after that, but she pre-empted that and made comments to the public which I thought were unfortunate – particularly in light of the fact that there is no industrial issue ongoing,” he said.

“These are decisions that we consult with the union on, but at the end of the day we are the final decision maker with regard to it. She raised her concerns, I looked into those concerns, and I made her concerns and those of the teachers known to the principal – and I think moving forward, we have addressed those.

“I was just somewhat disappointed in the way that she went about it. Like I said, it’s not something that goes against the industrial agreement and so I was surprised she took the stance she took in this regard. But I’m hopeful she will appreciate that it’s been worked out.”

Mr Fitzgerald added: “Any action she may decide to take – or the teachers, which may not be to their benefit and to their detriment, I would invite them to strongly reconsider.”