By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Minister of Education Desmond Bannister yesterday expressed concern that thousands of children set to return to classrooms today will face shortages in teaching staff and uncompleted repairs, with some schools being in such a “woeful state” that they pose a danger.
Mr Bannister, the Free National Movement’s candidate for Carmichael, called on Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald to publicly state the number of teacher shortages in each public school throughout the islands.
Last week, Mr Fitzgerald acknowledged his ministry’s concern over the “unexpected” applications for early retirement from over 100 public school teachers this year.
Mr Fitzgerald said 119 teachers applied for early retirement this year, which, for him, was a “big number” by the ministry’s standards that came “unexpectedly” to officials. He also indicated that the ministry has seen “a number” of teachers give notice of their intent to resign within the last two weeks and that he expected “more unforeseen resignations” to occur before the start of the new school year.
Mr Fitzgerald at the time said the ministry had focused its attention on ensuring that the Family Island schools are staffed as best as possible, adding that the Ministry of Education will likely have to employ some 30 “supply teachers” in order to fill the vacancies that were created.
The minister noted that the capital was not an issue for the ministry, as he said New Providence has enough teachers “we can bring in in order to fill the void.”
However Mr Bannister called for more details on teacher shortages.
“I call upon the minister of education, if he truly cares about accountability, to publicly provide an accounting of the shortage of teachers in each school, so that parents will be fully informed of the plight that their children face,” Mr Bannister said in a statement.
“But I know that my plea will fall on deaf ears. He will not do so. This is not a government of accountability.
“Our precious children will return to schools throughout our country that are in the worst state of disrepair in modern memory. Several of the school campuses are in such a woeful state that they are downright dangerous. It is telling that this government has prioritised the spending of millions of our hard earned tax dollars on a weekend party called carnival but refuses to make a similar investment in the education of our innocent young children, a group that represents hope for the future of our country.”
Mr Bannister called the teacher shortage “a scandalous shame” that is “painful to see” because “thousands of our bright young children will be reporting to classrooms without teachers.”
“Many will have no desks or chairs,” he claimed.
Mr Bannister stressed that teachers, parents and students deserve better than having to endure overcrowded classrooms, incomplete repairs, equipment and supply shortages and unsanitary conditions on various campuses.
Public school repairs were expected to cost between $9m and $10m this year.
Comments
alfalfa 8 years, 3 months ago
Same story every year, no matter which Government is in power. Time for some mid-management changes in the departments responsible for the annual screw ups.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 3 months ago
It appears that the PLP government has the teachers/principals' unions are on lock down ..... because no one is saying anything about the adverse school situations ............ where are the department bosses and the district superintendents?????? ............ everyone is pretending that all is well and just clapping up Fitzgerald for his "fine job" ........... LMAO
birdiestrachan 8 years, 3 months ago
Well Banister has to say something, so folks will know he is still alive. now there is a fellow with no life. He can do his own investigation if he does not believe what he has been told.
birdiestrachan 8 years, 3 months ago
Pray tell why the Government has to pay so much for school repairs each and every year it was the same situation when Mr: Banister was Minister of education. Now there is an investigation for you..
OMG 8 years, 3 months ago
Incompetence of many Principals who refuse to listen to their staff and rule by dictate rather than democratic means.
TalRussell 8 years, 3 months ago
Comrade! Few believe Alfred's entering the PLP party’s leadership race has anything to do with entertaining the principle of being an legitimate candidate against Prime Minister Christie.
Rather than taking Alfred's leadership run seriously, I'd be more interested in knowing how much millions of taxpayers’ monies are being spent on books, school supplies and other material and items required to supply teachers and students and to maintain all the government’s funded schools - and who exactly listing the names (including family members and known associates of MP's) who are on the receiving ends them taxpayers' millions?
OMG 8 years, 3 months ago
My workshop roof leaked for over 15 years, no internet access, lights that didn't work,fans that didn't work. Nobody cares.
ashley14 8 years, 3 months ago
ashley14 8 years, 3 months ago
OMG and you wonder why the Bahamas are in the state their in. If your not willing to invest in your children, what do you expect. Children are a product of their environment. It starts at home with a loving stable home, 3 meals a day. Love and nurturing produces a healthy adult. School is a extension that we allow to educate our children. Sounds like they are dropping the ball. Parents go in your children's schools, clean it up, make it safe and comfortable. If staff is short, volunteer. Most adults can take the material being taught to each grade and help the children learn. One teacher can't do it alone. Gosh, reading this really upset me. I read everyday WHY. Well here you are! If the quality of education improves, I guarantee you they won't be on the streets doing drugs and killing people. They'll use their heads to bring all kind of exciting changes. If it doesn't change, things won't improve.
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