Concern over short notice of reassignments

At least one teachers’ union has raised concerns about the short notice of reassignments given to principals and teachers ahead of the new school term.

General Secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers Herbert Gittens is asking the Ministry to do better and hold to an agreement he says was made almost three decades ago.

Next Monday, 11 primary school principals will begin at new schools, and five secondary school principals will take up new postings.

Mr. Gittens says in 1997 there was the movement of a number of primary school principals, but it was agreed that principals will be given at least a term’s notice of any shifts, and teachers six weeks.

Last year, a number of principals and teachers were alerted of reassignments hours before and at the start of the school term.

Mr. Gittens says both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Service need to work together to ensure there’s no simliar recurrence going forward.

During a press conference at the Ministry of Education yesterday, Permanent Secretary Wendy Odle apologised to those who were still unaware of their transfers, and noted those who contributed to school administrators receiving late notice will be held accountable.

When contacted today, Minister of Education Kay McConney says the matter was dealt with during yesterday’s press conference.

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