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
-
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”
Scout shut up.
Blogger 2012
I refer to your comments at 4:10 p.m.
Why would you deliberately distort the facts in order to discredit me. I have never written a letter that was defamatory of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO). It is not my intention to deal with this matter in this forum but you went too far. I do not have anything that is personal against. I have made several complaints against the Chief Personnel Officer on behalf of persons I represent, mainly because she was extremely tardy dealing with matters.
The letter to which you refer is presently before the court so I will not go into any great detail. The CPO took steps against a worker that lead to his removal from the Public Service. It turned out that the action against this man resulted from a case of mistaken identity. They dismissed the wrong man who happened to have the same first and last name as a person who had been committed to the Psychiatric Hospital. I drew that fact to the attention of the CPO at a meeting that was attended by Dennis Clarke and all of the senior staff of the union. Unfortunately, the CPO had already taken steps to have the man removed from the Public Service and did not care to correct her error. When the man actually received his dismissal from the Public Service, I appealed to the Governor-General in Privy Council in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. The General Secretary did not want me to appeal because the CPO is his friend and according to Maloney, he and the CPO walks together. They claimed that I embarassed their friend the CPO and that was one of the incidents that caused my dismissal from NUPW. The Union refused to further represent the victim and since I formed Unity Workers Union I have taken up the matter and it is now before the High Court.
The other incident which you blended with the above for effect is where another head of department claimed that I defamed her and wrote to the Union and myself threatening legal action. The Union referred the matter to one of its legal advisers, a prominent QC, who advised that I was right and that we should ignore her nonsense. She was also a friend of the President and General Secretary, and the President who did not make it into 5th form overruled the QC, and as far as I am aware, he wrote an official apology to sooth his friend’s ego.
Blogger 2012, I don’t think that you wanted all that information but you should not go around writing untruths about me.
@ MORK
The BIG difference…Jesus was a GOOD man.
Wait you read the fly on the wall ? That will tell you who is Barabbas
I took its last dying words yesterday ( sbmitted).. after Jeff spray BOP on the poor insect..
January 12 ..11.01 pm Chk it
Random Thoughts
You want me shut up? why can’t anyone of the BSTU supporters or the Mr Broomes haters answer me? I’ll ask it again Is the teacher involved in this controvesy VERY CLOSEY related to a senior officer of the MOE? The problem is you people so much want to get the rid of Mr Broomes that you are hiding very important information.
Observing
I’m not here to inform anyone about what I know, I did what our journalists need to do INVESTIGATION. Yes, I merged the names and found a very interesting discovery. It is because of this that I see why Mr Broomes had to raise this matter before the parents on Speech Day in the form of an apology
@The Scout
It has already been established that the teacher is related to the education officer, believe Ping Pong raised it first on another blog.
If Broomes was getting push back there are other avenues to deal with the matter.
The Scout | January 13, 2012 at 6:16 PM | I guess Franklyn would advise Mary not to meet with the minister until her request for Mr Broomes separation is fulfilled.
Mary does not need my advice. If I were her, I would be extremely careful in dealing with the Minister and not let her guard down. I seem to remember that the Minister intervened the last time Broomes’ s moon was full. I understand that he made certain promises to the teachers who are still waiting on him. The teachers most likely would be asked to suspend the action and when they go back to work nothing happens.
@Caswell
“I seem to remember that the Minister intervened the last time Broomes’ s moon was full. I understand that he made certain promises to the teachers who are still waiting on him. ”
You know the ting well…let’s hope they remember.
David
Could it be that because of the connections,and because she went to school there and returned there this teacher tought it was her “godgiven” right to get the job, so when she did not, she has taken it out on Mr Broomes to whom she made his job a living hell. Mr Broomes didn’t appoint himself, I suppose there were a number of interviews and Mr Broomes sold himself best and was successful. Too many times too many of us rely on a friend/relative to “put in a word” for them; this stupidness must stop. She seem to be an elderly person nearing retirement and I guess she was disappointed because she didn’t get the job, but to behave in that manner was unacceptible. The MOE not knowing which side to favor, just hope the whole issue will blow over, but the teacher was adamant. What will most likely happen is Mr Broomes acceping retirement with a golden handshake and the teacher , after many years of good service retiring with a cloud over her head, as far as the students and parents are concerned. The biggest loser are the students.. Watch out CXC and Foundation in particular, and ALL the other principals, Mary Redman and her followers are coming for you.next.
I read a report submitted by the students of AX that has brought tears to my eyes. When they can report that some on these very teachers who now want Mr Broomes “separated” from the scholl have themselves been abusing the children even before this recent problem. This is a matter that the MOE need to pay close attention to, the relationship between the students and the teaches will be very strained whenever school starts back, with or without Mr Broomes; without him it will be worse. What are we doing to our young people? when some of these go astray we can only blame ourselves for being selfish and VERY IMMATURE. There has to be a total shake up within the educational system, both at the MOE and at the schools. NEVER again should anyone or organisation hold our children to rensom. Just like policemen are not permitted to strike, teachers should not either. Somebody should get locked up and tainting our young people. This will affect ALL the AX students and many of those from other schools for the rest of their lives.
SCOUT ….SHUT UP AND GO TO SLEEP! AND STOP CRYING CROCODILE TEARS!
…….LAMO…..LOLLL
I guess some BSTU supporter would say, that report was influenced by Mr Broomes, but our children are intelligent enough to think for themselves. Over 700 students out of a roll of just over 800 is sending a serious message. I hope in you BSTU supporter old age you look back and see the damage you have done to these children. I look forward eagerly to see the results of them at CXC, I hope for their sake they are good. Employers do everything possible to assist this year’s CXC students from AX because they need all the support they can get.
islandgal246
You are not only stupid, you are VERY insensitive. I belive you don’t have children or nieces and nephews or even brothers and sisters, you are a ONE WOMAN SHOW. Having gone to school at C.P, the students at AX were our sisters, many of them are hurt tonight because of the MUD this woman and her followers have pulled the name of their school through; she should be ashame.It’s going to take many years for that school to regain the respect that is truely due to it. All this occur through some selfish, unresonable uncaring, teachers who have punished innocent children for their personal gain; SHAME ON THEM>and you too.
OH LORD…..SCOUT…….WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO? CRY? ……BOOO HOOOO…LMAO…. MAN GO AND HUG UP YUH WIFE WE TIRED HEARING YOU!
Quoting Blogger2012 | January 13, 2012 at 7:14 AM “Roy Morris and jeff could not be at school together, there is a huge age difference”
Roy is 52, Jeff is 56.
Why would you 4 years a huge difference, unless you are trying to fool people?
islandgal 246
Sure I’m signing off and going to bed and hug my darling wife, can you do the same to your husband? Good night and God Bless. I’ll pray for you and the disadvantaged students of this country especially those at AX. Good Night MY DEAR , sweet dreams
LMAO….SCOUT good night and leggo the keyboard.
The teachers want to be separated from Broomes. Maybe the MOE can offer them positions at other schools or early retirement. While I do not support Broomes and abhor his style of “management” I cannot understand why the teachers would want to go back to Alexandra School even if Broomes was NOT there. After reading the Student Council’s letter and the comments of the parents I really doubt that the protesting Alexandra teachers or any other teacher would be welcomed there. It is clear that teachers are regarded as unfortunate necessities and maybe when information technology reaches the level that computers can deliver the instruction we will happily do away with the hiring of human teachers. In the mean time, the parents and students have implied that they only need and want Broomes. I believe that they should have him. The teachers can end this chaos by requesting a transfer and given the sterling qualities of Broomes there should be a stampede of teachers from other schools who would happily trade places with Alexandra teachers.
mr scout- the children like their parents are obviously stagemanaged and ill-advised. the volte-face by the parent teachers association regarding their once erstwhile pledge of support for mr broome is a case in point.the power of the trade union movement must prevail otherwise all will be lost.
As usual Bajans like to use band aids to cover laceration .As in the case of the ongoing saga .A bandaid would be used . until the next time when the school have to go over this again this isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last.
Is ther a surgeon in the house?
@Ping Pong
“teachers fromAx should transfer”
ARE YOU CRAZY or just your usual role of MOLE|PLANTMISINFORM ER ?
R.JONES >>>>>.Teachers went this way before..not true and were promises acted on ??????
It would be not fair to ask thirty other teachers from differing schools who have formed a bond or friendships with their pupils to be transferred to AX .Transferring Mr. Broomes is a viable and simplistic option .Uprooting 30 from AX and the incoming thirty from other schools is unreasonable to the staff and to those schools who are going to affected by the many and various changes necessary for smooth transactions.
Last NITE, I WIN Lotto , now …..
I AM GOING to invest in a book as promised
Called DEADLOCK
starring
JeFF……..D.man wid FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES
Mary…….D.tenacious pit bull..(hold on gurl)
Patrick…..D listener……(thread carefully on SATURDAY) *
Teachers of AX..D ABOUT TO B SHAFTED
Walter…..D On SICKLEAVER
Caswell….D CRIER IN THE WILDERNESS..wanna listen nah
MOE…….D BODY SHIFTERS.
BUT……..D opportunist SB..(GINE RESPOND on Monday..???)
Media……D mek moe money AND MOE MONEYERS
Sir L…….D General wid the KEY
Students…D pawns who got 2 weeks to catchup
Parents….D should of keep outs
PTA……….D need leadership
BU…………D facilitator
SUMA_We…D PLANTS TO MISINFORM.( Trojan Horses incld.)..no names
RESA_WE…D Trying to be informed
I leff out anybody ?…
I leff out anybody ?… Yourself Keith! You should try writing songs for crop over.
Yeah keith yuh fuget SCOUT……D BLINDMAN!
AC…LMAO yuh mek me laff hard dis early morning Good One!
@Caswell…..13January .11.30 a.m..Peters Principle
I did doing lil back reading..lol
Chez on breds bro……ya aint had to DUNK sa hard..lol
Ya rating : 4 ( so people like dey agree)..
@ac
Na beds…..Scout nor Islgal don’t count
them is D flees and flies pun D Trojan Horse.
(small pins)
ouch!
ac
It is said when you lose one of your five senses, the others get stronger, in your case you’velost four of yours, the only one left is your sight. Now your can see Very clearly, but you can’t smell, hear. think, or touch. You’re in serious trouble. However, have a good day and accept whatever happens at today’s meeting at the min of education. If you’re not happy with the outcome, don’t shot Mr Broome, choose between Mary Redman, the senior teacher at AX, or her ————— the senior officer at the MOE.
Caswell; You said in a post above;
“the last time Broomes’ s moon was full”
Love it! Any evidence on the syncronicity of the “outbursts” with lunar phases?
@K Howard and AC
Relax. I’m just amazed and saddened that the students (and their parents) can say the things that they have and yet still want the teachers back to teach them. My comment was really tongue in cheek mixed with annoyance (yuh think any teachers at other schools are breking down the door to teach wid Broomes?!!). The students should NEVER have been brought into this matter in the way (petitions?!) that they have been.
The teachers at Alexandra in my honest opinion are fighting FOR children at AX (and all other schools) but their parents (and many in the public) have been so manipulated that unkind and unfair comments are made about the teachers. I was just expressing my own frustration that the AX teachers seem to be the only “adults” in this mess.
@Ping Pong
Agree with you 100% that the ADULTS who allowed the students to be involved by way of a petition is endemic to what is really wrong with standards we employ today.
Where is the outrage at this was allowed to happen?
@balance
The trade union movement must prevail otherwise all will be lost
You fa real? Lost for who? Lost how? Lost when? So is it a case now of what the union demands MUST happen and absolutely nothing else will do? No apology, no censure, no level headed press release on the culpability of ALL parties in the matter?? Should they Withdraw labour until the ultimate ultimatum is met? Full stop? Without clear facts? Investigation? Negotiation? Arbitration? Mediation? And with obvious bias, emotion, cronyism and political motivation on all sides? Please. This issue has gone past unionism and strikes closely at the heart of many other “problem” issues raised on other threads. I hope people see that when it’s all said and done. Again, education and our children are already the losers. A next nudda generation gone.
David
to reiterate: It would be best that Broomes go elsewhere. I can only imagine the sense of ingratitude, disillusionment and consternation that AX teachers might feel at the comments made about them. Was it not said that AX academic results were good and improving? This had to be as a result of the work of the teachers. Broomes like all other principals teaches very little. Yet we hear and read the most scurrilous comments about teachers. I can only applaud the Christian magnanimity of the AX teachers who stand willing, able and anxious to return and ensure that those who spat on them succeed.
@Ping Pong
Let us hope the the MOE has had enough time to garner all the relevant information to be the best facilitator of today’s meeting.
The MOE we know reads your comments so therefore views held here maybe considered.
The first thing that should be settled at that meeting today should be the question of the teachers’ pay. They should insist that they are not meeting if there is a threat to deduct their pay. It is not their fault that they were forced to withdraw their labour. It is similar to constructive dismissal. The employer took action that forced the worker to leave his employment which is considered and compensated as wrongful dismissal. Similarly, Broomes took action that caused the teachers to down tools. If they want to dock pay, dock Broomes’s!
@Caswell
Your last comment is somewhat flawed because Broomes never withheld his labour did he?
Sorry David, I am not dealing with withholding labour in Broomes’s case. If a public officer or even a minister of government took action that caused the Government to lose money, in certain circumstances, the person involved could be required to make good the loss to the Crown.
@caswell
Is pay more important than reaching a resolution????
when this topic was started i made some comments. two days later and 180 comments later i see my words ain’t fail me.
so i would like to thank you guys, the ones that light in me, for making my point. i would also like to thank you all for showing me the light as i will now start tell people the future. (for a price of course :D)
in keeping with my new found job, i will say, this “pick a side” thing will come to an end next week as there is no one left to pick any more. i see mayor action from the unions coming this week.
i hope person like Mr. Franklyn will now be happy.
Observing you my friend are now getting to bottom of this “pick a side” game.
it is my way or no way at all. there is no middle in this matter. Mr. Franklyn is saying to us go to the table to get a resolution but put a demand to going to the table. :S
ain’t life grand?
@Caswell
yes I wanted all that info and will now check your story against what you said.
I notice that u r side steppng some of the questions, u were recently overheard to have said Ms. Redman dont have a clue about industrial relations and that she was losing the pr battle in light of her remarks about grievance handling procedures, did the bstu followed the protocol and should it be calling for which decsion it wants without the process gone through. I await your response on this. I am sure my friend scout has an interest in your response.
@Caswell
r u fah real, they with held their labour by breaking the contract and should not be paid, miss redman said she got nuff strke fund reserve let her pay them. Lecture me on this.
@Caswell
how at the beginning of negotiation that u say that the hm took action that caused the teachers to down tools are u negotiating in good faith and is that how you start to have a matter resloves? I know that there are times you must be combative, but not at the start of negotiation for a solution. Your response is appreciated.
@ David(not @ BU)
What’s the going price for correctly fore telling the future.
I want to know what is going to happen at the NUPW where the AILING Clarke is concern. Will he be disciplined by the Council and instructed to allow the acting General Secretary to perform her duties without interference from him and /or his planted over sized office demon?
@David
Is there a student council at each seconday school and r u saying that the PTA ans students cant think for themelves. The studenst are in a postion determine whether the teachers should be supported or not.
This saga is amazing! Incredible and ridiculous!
Why is Sir Roy commenting to the media on behalf of the BWU. Let the Public sector deal with this, if his advice was sought then do so in the proper forum. Nonsense
Pardon me but I read Dennis Clarke’s comments and they were quite personal in tone, Not that any one cared to examine the crazy reporting of the Nation newspaper. Rubbish
The “teacher” at the centre of this is ridiculous. Was there no other option at the time but to refuse to teach the class? Was that the only way to solve whatever problems percieved or not?
Bajans have gone mad indeed! Whatever Mr Broomes faults people the public for the most part saw nothing wrong with Mr Broomes making the comments because the students, parents, etc already knew of the situation so what he should have pretended it was not happening and let the parents and students believe that he was in agreement? Madness!
It is ridiculous, the MOE did not act sooner. the Education officer should be transferred for nepotism, the Teacher should be suspended for not teaching and Mr Broomes should be held accountable for such poor judgment in the whole affair. Mary Redman should teach her members and herself learn the protocol concerning grievance and follow the proper channels of communication before looking like a mad woman on tv.
@Blogger2012
Have you not been following the discussion?
Is it not accepted that the BSTU ‘may’ invoke the grievance procedure?
If there is a meeting to settle the matter why would you want the teachers to remove loss of pay from the table? is all part of the settlement negotiation to follow.
the scenario of asking thirty teachers to leave is liking asking a “TOWN” to move because of the bully.
@ David and Ping Pong
What are you people eating?
How can you be outraged that the students voice their opinions on the teachers after the most stupid letter that Bushie has EVER seen was published in the newspapers and alleged to have been submitted by a teacher of the school who is currently on strike…?
Personally, there are a number of REALLY good outcomes from this stupidity:
1 – The students of the school – especially the seniors, who have shown themselves to be more mature, sensible and logical than everyone else – including most blogging here.
Bushie is pleasantly surprised that we have such mature students who would organize themselves in the common interest, who would maintain such excellent discipline and who would offer such level headed AND HONEST analysis in their public statement.
2 – The education system of Barbados has been a BIG failure for YEARS now. Foolish Bajans have ignored the wasteful and unproductive system which cost an arm and a leg – while producing a continuing stream of lackies who cannot manage local business, own anything substantial (except bling) and who measure success by our ability to attract crumbs from other countries with less expensive education systems.
This issue CLEARLY shows that the whole thing is a SHAM.
HOWEVER, instead of a full review to understand the FUNDAMENTAL issues, we are on and on with stupid analysis about teachers feeling insulted or unhappy oe upset in their jobs….
CROCK!!
@ Caswell,
Bushie offered you priceless advice at the beginning of this issue… you have chosen to ignore…. good luck.