The impasse featuring the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) and the Principal of Alexandra School, Mr. Jeff Broomes can only be characterized as a comedy of errors or rather a tragedy of incompetence on the part of the Ministry of Education and the Personnel Administration Division. Before I proceed, let me state that I am firmly behind the BSTU. Nonetheless, I will endeavour to be fair to all sides.
The BSTU is one of the oldest trade unions in Barbados, with a proud history of achievements on behalf of its members. In the recent past, it has been overshadowed by the younger and more partisan political Barbados Union of Teachers whose main achievements, in its relatively short history, seems to be positioning its executive officers for higher office in the Ministry of Education and now in Government. But for its constant wrangling with Jeff Broomes, the BSTU goes about its business, almost unnoticed by the public, in a calm and dignified manner.
On the other hand, Mr. Broomes, who has been able to mount a façade of caring for the children in his charge, continues to provoke controversy whenever he is out of the limelight for any extended period. He usually catapults himself to national notice by making statements that are calculated to be controversial, and then he invites reaction by saying things like, “Bring it on!” Rather than keep quiet in order to avoid an escalation of the current episode, he allowed himself to be quoted in the Nation saying that he would do it again. He is aware of what transpired when he made the offending statement the first time. Why would he do it again if not to enflame passions and call attention to himself? However, while he is basking in all the attention that he is receiving, the children that he loves and cares so much about that should be his focus are going without instruction at this crucial juncture.
Despite my criticism of Jeff Broomes, he is not totally at fault. The saga starring Uncle Jeff has been allowed to fester for far too long while the agencies of Government that are responsible discipline sat on their hands to the detriment of the students, and also to the detriment of the teachers’ health. If the Ministry of Education and the Personnel Administration had administered a little medicine in the early stages of this problem, there would be no reason to require radical surgery to remove this gangrenous limb of the education system.
Now that the long suffering teachers have declared that they are no longer prepared to endure Broomes’ brand of management and the ministry’s lethargy, they are being abused due in part to the fact that the media refuse to fairly put their side. Teachers at Alexandra have every right to protect themselves since no one else seems to be doing it. Even the police appeared to side with Broomes and prevented the union from marching by exercising power that they do not have. Union marches, funerals and marches by the Barbados Regiment are exempted from the provisions of the Public Order Act. Put simply, the Police have no authority to prevent a union march. Teachers have opted to withdraw their labour as is their right under the provisions of the Trade Union Act. Some overzealous commentators have even called for the dismissal of the striking teachers. Would they like it if they were dismissed for standing up for their rights? They should be aware that they are calling on the authorities to commit a criminal act. Section 40A of the Trade Union Act states:
40A. An employer who –
(a) dismisses a workman or adversely affects the employment or alters the position of a workman to his prejudice because that workman –
(i) is or proposes to become an officer, delegate or member of a trade union,
(ii) being a member of a trade union which is seeking better labour conditions, is dissatisfied with his conditions.
(iii) has absented himself from work without leave after he has made an application for leave for the purpose of carrying out his duties or exercising his rights as an officer or delegate of a trade union and such leave has unreasonably been refused or withheld, or
(iv) takes part in trade union activities outside or, with the consent of the employer, within working hours: or
(b) threatens to dismiss a workman or to adversely affect the employment or alter the position of a workman to his prejudice –
(i) because that workman is or proposes to become an officer, delegate or member of a trade union or other combination which has applied to be registered as a trade union, or
(ii) with intent to dissuade or prevent that workman from becoming an officer, delegate or member of a trade union.
is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
The normally docile teachers at Alexandra School have been extremely slow to anger but having reached that point. They are resolute in their stance and have determined, come what may, they are no longer working with Jeff Broomes. The lambs have roared.
The ball is now in the court of the Ministry of Education and the Personnel Administration Division. They have several options to bring closure to this mess, namely:
-
They can transfer all the teachers involved and send a new set to Alexandra to be demoralized;
-
They can transfer Broomes but since he is appointed as Principal of Alexandra, he would have to consent to any such transfer; or
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Broomes could be retired from the Teaching Service in accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the Pensions Act where an officer can be retired, “on becoming unfit in the opinion of the Governor-General, for the discharge of the duties of his office, though not suffering from any particular illness or infirmity likely to be permanent…”
No more excuses, no more political interference in the Teaching Service. The children at Alexandra School deserve much better, and the teachers need some much deserved relief so that they can once again concentrate on teaching.
340 responses to “Alexandra School Impasse: A Massive Failure Of Public Service Administration”
@Ping Pong
Touche’ to you (PING PONG)…for a job well done..
If they don’t want to believe it now …who cares…the man’s ass is 34 outta d door now.
Sir Leroy…..you are well deserving knighted…help these poor ladies please.
Sad thing about people ..they see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear.
@Caswell
r u talking about tranferring trouble? R u spitting up in tha air ansd where is the spit dropping? Where ever u work u could not hold a job and why is that? There was a case where a gentleman was caught cheating on overtime and the BWU would not hear his case and u invited him to join your one man union and how many people did he get from the Drainage Unit to join your Union?
I am in further shock that with a lifetime of chaos and failure, at least 5 years as Principal, of unresolved conflicts with the BSTU and ancillary staff, often stated disregard for the Ministry of Education, stated disregard for the Board of Management that Broomes was shortlisted and interviewed for the post of Chief Education Officer!
We have gone mad.
Ping Pong
Has the BSTU say whether or not Mr Broomes is untrue about the teacher? Has the BSTU admit the teacher at Foundation must take the blame for the tardiness of submitting the students’ SBA’s. No, as far as they are concerned, the teacher is amember of the union and we will use our might to make you look good, or al least take the heat off the teacher. As stated before by me, a good, professional leader MUST be able to tell even a friend they are wrong when it is so.
@ Blogger 2012 and Bush tea
Have everyone noticed ..as soon as the pendulum starts swinging the way of the teachers….suddenly nuff people in hay start cussin and being disrespectful…wonder why ?
Common decency ..dictates you apologies son…but
Sound like a Jeff characteristics….maybe ole buddies..who knows
It is alleged that a senior member of the MOE is either the sibling or spouse or close relative of one of the senior teachers who is one of themain voices in the disruption at AX school .If this is so, no wonder the MOE is so soft.
@ Ping Pong
Broomes only get called to MOE interview in hope that they could get him to talk about the Alexander school issue..
I hear it thru the grapevine ..shhh doan tell nah body .
Broomes come out the interview STOMPIN and Cussing, Raging and..pissing vex…when he realised the trick.
He did nearly lick down d guard den…lol (WDF).
You think the people @ MOE gine call he bck up dey anytime soon?
YOU MAD..
Why go personal?
Just because Caswell is sharing his opinion?
@ping pong
Mountain of evidence re. suitability.
Are you sure? Is it documented?
Anecdotal evidence and observation does not a case make. Even if it is totally true, ESPECIALLY in the civil service.
@keith
People are waiting to hear/see the clear EVIDENCE or explained chain of events to support the ultimate call for withdrawal of labour and separation. This is the BSTU’s responsibility and one they are failing in.
Ping Pong
Bushie had you down as a knowledgeable person……
So you saying that, independent of the facts of the present case, Broomes should be punished because YOU happen to know some of his bad characteristics and YOU can testify that (unlike the rest of us) he is no saint.
Well Well Well! Sounds like you want to make industrial relations decisions based on secret information……how professional!
Sir Roy is lamenting the fact that Broomes made a defiant statement that he would ‘do it again’….??? LOLOLOLOL
So how about the union calling for no less than his job,,?
Sir Roy talking about relationships breaking down…???
LOLOLOLOL…
Bushie sat across the table through many, many of his abusive tirades….
Scout
it behooves me to let you know of my astonishment at your unhinged, irrational, disagreeable and generally offensive ad hominem attack of Ms Redman so much so that I wonder if someone is impersonating you!
Be that as it is, the BSTU has vigorously and continually disputed Broomes’ allegations about an incident that if it did happen, occurred seven months ago!. Let us at least call for a speedy adjudication of the facts and a determination of the situation by an independent authority.
On the matter of the Foundation School, the BSTU has not sought to ‘defend” the teacher but to seek the interest of the students who were denied their certificates. In my sole opinion, I believe that Ms Redman’s initial suggested approach was ill advised. However let us examine that situation. The students did their SBAs which were marked and the marks submitted to CXC on time. The students then sat the written exams which have been marked . Thus the students have completed all parts of the assessment for the certificate. Now this could not be completed because in order for the SBA marks to be validated, a sample of five SBAs were to be submitted for moderation by CXC. Why this sample was not submitted is the subject of controversy and I cannot offer any explanation. However it is the students that are suffering for something that they had NO control over. The Ministry as local registrar (and who would have been CXC’s contact in asking for the SBA sample) is suffering no loss, the Principal and the teacher of Foundation school has suffered no loss or penalty, it is only the students who bear the brunt of this error by others. The school and others have pleaded with CXC to accept the sample of SBAs late or even to review all 80 SBAs to maintain the integrity of the examination. CXC has been adamant in its position even in the face of many examples of SBAs in the past being received late and even of the situation in Trinidad where an employee of the Trinidadian Ministry of Education leaked exam papers to students there and a whole new set of exams were prepared along with a separate marking process. All I can say is that it appears that in a pique of frustration the BSTU sought to try to wring the arm of the CXC into somehow completing the assessment process and awarding the students their certificates. As I have indicated before I think Ms Redman’s attempt to address the issue was well intentioned but inappropriate but that is only my opinion.
However on the matter of representing the BSTU members on the Alexandra issue, the BSTU and Ms Redman has been magnificent.
@Observing
In the civil service, applicants for posts or promotion are turned down for very much less. That insidious whispering campaign has sunk many “ships”. Broomes’ non performance is not a secret. It is just that his case is a most galling example of the triumph of cronyism, disregard for proper procedure and that internecine network of politics, school and village ties, and fraternal associations whose influence is amplified in a small society.
Who will be like Diogenes of ancient Athens and walk about in the daytime with a lit lamp looking for an honest man?
@ Blogger 2012
I’m sure noone will miss me at NUPW, they’ll miss my contribution though. You see I’m responsible for a substantial monthly fnancial contribution. Can you say the same?
When somebody doesn’t share your opinion, you feel the need to be rude? LOL. No wonder you think Broomes is such a fantastic Principal. Hilarious.
Try again Bushie,
I have simply destroyed your assertion/opinion that Broomes is this paragon of success, this productive exemplar or this leader with values of excellence leading to progress.
As to the current case before us, I have consistently called for a speedy, transparent and decisive determination by supervising authorities.
@ Smooth Chocolate…..Your last comment is exacly the reason why I am of the opinion that trade unionism has to win this fight.Pre and post menopausal creatures.This is the backward,last year troglodytic mentality that trade unionism fought so hard to protect against. Sixty million frenchmen caaan be wrong—except when political connections come into play.Under successive governments Jeff Broomes belittled and berated teachers and pupils alike,and though this behaviour has only recently gone viral in the public domain,many know these things to be true.Now we shall see where his ego leads him.
@Bushie
Come again because you know those tirades by the Roy is all part of the huff and puff of negotiating strategy.
Investigate Mr.Broomes claim about the teacher ,through the Courts if needed be.If it is true,Mr.Broomes in the interest of the School and the children should agree to a transfer PROVIDED the teacher is DISMISSED from the Public Service for gross insubordination..no gratuity,no pension ,NOTHING !Let the BSTU pay her gratuity and pension.CASE SOLVED both parties win !
Mr Cas, what steps can be taken to get rid of Clarke from the NUPW. He and Jeff Broomes seems to have been born of the same sow. Sick, sickening domineering brutes
investigate ! investigate! Time and time again how many more times .Howmany more investigations. How many more negotiations and agreements! How many more.? ” ‘
All which have been tried from 2003 and failed because of Mr. Broomes broken promises. MR. Broomes cannot be trusted. Pity any teacher wanting to work underhis tyranny< Does a leopard change its spot? Only one word would suffice and resolve that is "GO"
Quote Bush Tea!
” Mr.. Broomes is a pargon of sucess”
YEAH! Is that so ! and his staff having to pay a high price and the alexander school left in ruins and the children now having to fend for themselves.
I now see a LAME DUCK in a RED shirt on my TV ,,,,looking SO PATHETIC
JUSTICE SWEET JUSTICE…….we long for thy embrace.
He is about to concede….his walk says it.
I must sincerely apologise to the AlexanDRA School for the misspelling in my posts. SINCEREST APOLOGIES to all former students of that noble institution.
Fellow contributors it is ALEXANDRA , not Alexander…please take note.
Aside: I hay wid my dictionary.
All ya hear all these BIG WORDS that these pro BSTU teachers letting go in hay.?
Dem some people wants to tell we …treat deZ same teacher like dirt ?
Let dem go….stupesss..den DO WA . Foolishness ent SPORT
GET REAL man
I saw the lonesome Dove too even the skies were weeping for alexandra as he made his way into the MOE office. Oh how the mighty have fallen. BSTU i congratulate you for your avid fight against all odds. Win our loss BSTU has made its presence known and a force to be reckoned with. Any one in the teaching profession having the audacity to mistreat or abuse their staff members would think twice before executing or administering any injustices no matter how trivial it might seem to them. People are Humans and must be treated with respect and dignity that’s what BSTU is fighting for.
@Ping Pong
You forget the children that sat the CXC exam at the same time as the students from Foundation. An exam is supposed to take place on a level playing field. The reason there are clear rules about submission of SBA, amongst other things, is because they must apply to all who take the exam for the exam to be fair. When one set of students, through no fault of their own in this instance, is in breach of the rules, that is still not fair to the rest. I’m afraid when it comes to examinations, rules must be rules. Surely every teacher understands this. Don’t they teach “Read the rubric!” anymore.
@ PING PONG
Ping pong….after reading your submissions above re: CXCSBA , I can only quote from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.. when they were about to extract the pound of flesh..”A DANIEL, A DANIEL indeed has graced our presence,” (YOU) ..
You are very well informed.I am sure your contribution has helped to WIN this BSTU’s battle in public..I am sure lots of people like myself were ABLE TO GET INFO to help make an informed decision to-date.
Broomes 35% BSTU 65% >>>>possibility of +ve outcome
Thanks
@AC
God help us with people like you, i hope u dont have kids. You are a pathetic example.
@Caswell
you are realy blowing hot air, define in the opinion of the gg, do u think that can stand up and what grounds could he be declared unfit. Dont two parties have to agree that there is a dispute and negotiations have broken down, before strike is invoked.
Lets assume that he is retired by the gg and the BAPP go on stike in support of Bromes, how would you respond.
@Inde
who will miss $26, when u go more will join.
@Klazert
I agree that the rules must apply to all equally. The Foundation students did everything they were supposed to do. It was the SBA sample that was not sent in by the school. This sample is used to cross check the teacher’s grading. So the question (if there is one) is this: Does the late or non submission of the sample so undermine the integrity of the examination process that the marks earned cannot be accepted and certificates awarded? CXC’s answer as far as I know is that it does undermine the exam integrity. I am not in a position to argue but I am told that SBAs from time to time (not the sample) have been submitted late and not only are these marked but certificates awarded. In some years I am also told, CXC does NOT require a SBA sample to sent in!!
Keith Howard causes me to remember another verse from the Merchant of Venice which may be appropriate here:
“The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”
@ Keith Howard
“A Daniel” I am not.
@Keith
There is no shift buddy, Bromes will prevail.
@Blogger
You are a nincompoop… if you believe that
or better still BROOMES,
gotya..
Blogger,,,when this is all ova
I will allow you the last act…>>>>eat humble pie
to drive the final nails in the coffin ..deal?
Serious though..
This got to be a reaaall BIG party BSTU got to hold doa …
I know peoples like me go be so elated that I can picture people .go come to tears den….that.s how emotional its going to be..
Imagino he mek parents tek positions against teachers yesterday…gosh
BARBADOS will neva B the same..fa real
Jeff Broome..you will be remembered..(@#**#@) I doan curse.
I am appealing to all women who have suffered any form of abuse to stand in solidarity with these teachers. The emphasis does not only resolves around women and the abuse they have experienced in the workplace but has given a voice to women living under similar circumstances.Even though the main focus is on the Principal in reality the ABUSE of the staff is what should be of importance. BSTU have raised the bar and abuse women and mistreated employees would all be better because of it. THANK YOU BSTU!
when all is said and done NUPW would be remembered as the UNION who stood for the decapitation of the basic Human rights of People. Maybe a shrine should be posted outside their doorsteps with a picture of CLARKE weilding a machete
@ ac
You continue to set new lows in your level of debate and application of common sense…. Keep on digging…
When did Bush tea quote anyone as being a “paragon of success”?
Can’t you see that this is only Ping Pong’s deliberately dishonest characterization of Bushie’s position?
That position is simply this:
Given the facts of the case presented, there is no rational case for the strike action, or to call for Broomes to lose his job.
If there are other new issues, then raise them formally as charges.
If previous issues were raised – and dismissed as insignificant by the powers that be, then move on…
@ David
….so Sir Roy is playing the negotiating game when he grand stands, but Broomes is a SOB when he does it? Your slip is showing. To your credit, this is the first time that Bushie have seen you so illogically biased….
@Ping Pong
…sounding like a real standpipe gossip. You should hear the things that haters say about Bushie….
Just praise God that you are above reproach.
You are no doubt aware that gossip is not admissible in formal determinations of guilt or innocence.
NUPW should be remembered for what it really is! – A Union that better represented the interests of Management AGAINST the interests of workers.
Broomes, agent of the Min of Edn, is the EMPLOYER in this matter.
This is not a case of the NUPW member, Broomes needing representation in a matter against his employer, the Min of Edn. This is Broomes the EMPLOYER being represented against his employees & their Union, by the NUPW.
Now I believe ALL those stories about after-work meetings with management in the governtment departments & Statutory Corporations across Barbados. Now, I understand what he means by “Man he/she is my good-good friend!” Everybody is Clarke’s good-good friend;
Except the workers; who are the NUPW
So Bushie i take that the quote i asserted to you ‘MR. Broomes is a paragon of success ” is one you do not agree with”
@Bush Tea
ya saved me the trouble of replying. You covered all the bases well.
@Ping Pong re. CXC
You are clearly unaware of the general regulations about CXC and SBAs as well as the “intricacies” of the specific Foundation issue. On that note I’ll give you a pass on what you have written..I’ll just mention a few quotes from ya though….
“All I can say is that it appears that in a pique of frustration the BSTU…”
“it is only the students who bear the brunt of this error by others. ”
“However it is the students that are suffering for something that they had NO control over.”
“Let us at least call for a speedy adjudication of the facts and a determination of the situation by an independent authority.”
If what you write is what you believe, I sense that at heart we feel the same way about the issue(s). Emotion and bias however have a peculiar clouding effect on those that allow it.
@Keith
“You are very well informed.I am sure your contribution has helped to WIN this BSTU’s battle in public.”
My God, this is why we have the problem in the first place.Lack of information and an objective of winning, rather than due process, justice and fairness.
@David
I’ll touch on Sir Roy later. That one is a bit weighty…. but i maintain his contribution today to be setting a dangerous precedent for a General Secretary of the largest union in Barbados. Today we saw Sir Roy politician, not SIr Roy union leader. It’s a very fine line which he has mastered over the years when convenient.
@ANGELA IFILL & CASWELL FRANKLYN, I do not know what rock you are living under, but I have never and will never pray for any of my children or grand children or nieces of nephews to go to Alexandra. The school results are piss poor in comparison to Harrison or Queens, even St.Leonards Boys school now looking like a far better placement for your boy child. Next all secondary schools whether older or newer are not the same. My son got marks for Queens but was allocated to Combermere we requested a transfer after his 1st year at Combermere, we collected his books for entry into second form, then we collected his books also from Queens College for 2nd form, would you believe for eg that his books from Combermere totalled 8, however his books from Queens College were sixteen, and they were all for the same subjects, he is now on his way to being a Doctor so don’t tell me they are all alike, they are not. The teacher who refused to teach the 4th formers was dead wrong, yet the union and Caswell Franklyn, seem blinded by they hatred for Mr. Broomes to see this. So in their opinion the greater evil is him critcising this behavior in public, when she was also not doing her public duty for what she is paid for. We have poor work eithics and it is people like Redman, Caswell Frklyn and Leroy Trotman that encourages this type of behavior. Remember Sandy Lane and Royal Shop, those workers were wrong yet Leroy Trotman wanted to “shut down Barbados” for them, of course it never worked and they still remained fired. I now can understand why Lodge shcool have such poor results, if they have people like Redman teaching there but then again I do not see here work colleagues supporting her. They do not care about the children, 2 wrongs do not make a right the greater evil here is insubordination and my belief is that thees teachers need to be fired and replacements hired, unenployment is high and they are many people out there who care about those school children let us hire some
And if there is a lapse of supervision and something happens to a child who is being taught/supervised by another child who is liable? Broomes? The Ministry of Education? Nobody?
In 21st century Barbados is it good, permissible and LAWFUL to use child labourers as strike breakers?
Just asking.
With sincere apologies to the original Just Asking?
I am not taking sides on this one.
I cannot help noticing that the teachers on strike seem to be the more senior ones. That does not stand well for Mr. Broomes.
The mainstream media seems unwilling or unable to probe behind issues. There is a claim that a teacher refused to teach for one year. Whats behind that? Suppose I have a grade 2 in O level spanish. I then went to uwi and did a degree in history. I go to teach at alexandria and then after some years there is a reassigning of teachers at the school and I am re-assigned to teach spanish classes, and the history classes i was teaching before are assigned to someone else. How am I supposed to respond?
@ Blue eyelidsObserving.
Oh boo ho…..BOO hooo…rantings all MAD rantings
Alice in Wonderland ..maybe
Don’t forget your tissues now !
@Keith
I sincerely apologise. I thought I was talking to an adult, but now that I know better I’ll try to respond accordingly…if at all. I sincerely hope that Ping Pong is not in your class at school too….
We have heard a lot of talk about the teacher who “refused” to teach. I know her. She is a good woman. Has been a good woman all the days of her life.
Is it possible that when the teacher returned from her term’s leave she discovered that the principal had sought to permanently assign her tasks to one of her juniors, had carried out a “de facto demotion”. Is it possible that the teacher quite rightly refused to accept this demotion?
We understand don’t we that under the LAW in Barbados are principals of public schools are NOT permitted to demote or fire since the principal is NOT the employer?
We the citizens, parents, taxpayers are not children are we? We do NOT reason at thelevel. A bird flies, a plane flies, therefore a plane is a bird?
Surely since we are adults and not silly children ee CAN reason at a more complex level than that.
I hate being ALWAYS right. People grow to hate you when you are ALWAYS right. But again I am right on this issue.
If this issue goes to court and it very likely will, the court is going to find for the teacher(s) and NOT for the principal.
As a joking aside I had a boyfriend once who grew to hate me. He finally asked in frustration “why can’t you be wrong sometimes” He NEVER accused me of wrong doing, since I NEVER did any wrong. But he would have liked to be right sometimes, even when he was wrong.
It is NOT my fault that God has blessed me with much better than average intelligence.
The principal SHOULD back down, while he can still save face.
BUsh Tea if standing up for “PEOPLE’s Basic Human Rights” against the mistreatment of their employer who at best violates the code of conduct and reneges on any or all agreements has become”setting a new low” as quoted by you. SO BE IT and further more i make no apologise. I pause to think of all the demeaning quotations you have assigned to women as reaching ” Any kind of a low” what i have said about Mr. Broomes pales in comparison to what you have attributed to the females on this blog.Just a reminder :People who lives in glass house should not throw stones.
Alexandra, ALEXANDRA.
not AlexanDER or AlexanDRIA.
ALEXANDRA…… get it?
All the talk about the teacher not teaching is to counteract the mounting evidence against MR> broomes> this is only one of the real issues that would generate support for Mr, Broomes after all according to all TEACHERS Are supposed to teach NO MATTER WHAT! for a while that issue was working but as everyday more of MR> Broomes true colors are revealed his seemingly supports wains ever so slowly. BTW was that a Red shirt he was wearing. YOU see what i mean. Man really likes the spotlight .