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Submitted by Douglas
CXC
CXC

The recent impasse by the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union (BSTU) and the regional body of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) has begged the question…In whose interest are these Union bodies acting?

How can a union and its members take  as prisoners the future leaders of this society by abandoning the process and not marking School  Based  Assessment papers?

The children of this country’s future will be jeopardized…If the issue is one of volume of work that is to be undertaken and the Union is asking for more money. … Will increase money solve the volume of work or will it make the teachers  happier this summer ?

The case put on behalf of the Union should not have to see the children of Barbados suffering … I am calling on all parents no matter if your child is at this juncture to condemn the insensitive action of the Union and its leaders…

Children don’t sign cheques and yet they are asked to pay…

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93 responses to “Red Alert to All parents”

  1. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    @ Dacosta Brathwaite March 30, 2015 at 8:27 AM #
    Every one knows that CXC is not the teachers employer
    SO THEN CXC CANT DICTATE ANYTHING TO THE TEACHERS
    YOUR QUOTING OF CXC HANDBOOK AS THOUGH IT IS THE WRIT FOR FAITH AND PRACTICE MEANS NOTHING

    but the teachers accepted the responsibility to prepare students according to the CXC guidelines.
    HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS?DO YOU HAVE THIS IN WRITING?

    I wonder if Mary Redman and company heard what the Head of the PTA had to say after the town hall meeting.
    DOES the Head of the PTA EMPLOY OR REPRESENT THE TEACHERS?

    His parting words were to the effect that some of the same teachers whom the BSTU and BUT are advising not to mark the SBA’s, have children preparing for the upcoming CSEC and CAPE Examinations and would do nothing to jeopardize their charges’ future.
    WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO?

    Can’t you see that what Mary Redman and company are doing, is an exercise in futility?
    Can’t you see that THE TEACHERS MIGHT JUST HAVE A POINT?

    Can’t you see that the children of the majority of Barbadians, like yourself will suffer?
    WHY SHOULD THEY? CXC CAN PAY THE TEACHERS AND AVERT THE PROBLEMS

    The majority of the ones like Mary Redman attend Private Secondary Schools and their teachers will be correcting their SBA’s?
    MAYBE THEY ARE GETTING PAID

    Can’t you see that the children of the other 15 Caribbean countries which participate in the CXC Exams will have their SBA’s marked?
    THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE SIR? IS IT?

    I JUST ASKING SIR JUST ASKING

  2. David Avatar
    David

    @GP

    The bottomline is these two important stakeholders should have recognized the need to agree on the management of the SBAs before reaching this point. Does it show a lack of leadership? Yes it does.

  3. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    David
    Unfortunately you are 100% correct
    How could EVERYTHING go down hill SO QUICKLY.

  4. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    The BSTU may well have a point.
    However, an INTELLIGENT approach to making that point would NOT involve hurting innocent children, but would focus ob bringing REALISTIC pressure to CXC.

    shiite man…. is that not BASIC common sense?

    …so if a thief break in your house and steal your TV do you just rush outside and beat the first people you see….especially if they happen to be school children?

    Being right dont give you just cause to do shiite…

    If CXC and the MoE have not responsed to the teacher’s concerns then a FAR MORE PRACTICAL tactic would have been to instruct ALL teachers to grade ALL the SBA at 98% and hand them in with a note saying something like “Grading effort based on the remuneration received”…..
    This would throw the ball back into the CXC court and both MoE and CXC would get the message REAL fast… WITHOUT hurting innocent children.

    steupsss…
    Oh wisdom….whence hast thou fled…?

  5. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    Are you saying the action of the BSTU is analogous to the Bravo led walkout by the West Indies cricket team in India recently?

  6. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Bushie

    Your proposal makes the most sense so far. However, I do not understand the analogy about the thief breaking into your house. You know full well that if a thief breaks into your house and you go after him that the police would come along and shoot you and your son in the back.

    Sent from my iPad

    >

  7. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO ABOUT THIS ARTICLE FROM BARBADOS TODAY?
    http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2015/03/26/mr-speaker-hell-no-from-mr-toppin/

  8. David Avatar
    David

    @GP

    What is one to say except “The law [MP] is an ass”.

  9. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    YES DAVID HE IS
    THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A GOOD PIECE OF PROSE OR POETRY

    dID YOU HEAR THE ONE WHEN TEACHER ASK LITTLE JOHNNY TO ILLUSTRATE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROSE AND POETRY?

    TEACHER TOLD THE BOYS
    MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB ITS FLEECE WAS WHITE AS SNOW AND EVERYWHERE ETC SHE SAYS BOYS THATS POETRY

    THEN SHE SAID JACK AND JILL ASCENDED THE HILL TO ENGAGE IN ACQUATIC CAPTIVATION PERSUITS

    SO LITTLE JOHNNY SAYS
    SUSAN HAD A BIG FAT PIG THAT OFTEN USED TO GRUNT
    ONE DAY IT JUMPED IN SUSAN’S LAP…………………WHAT YOU WANT FIRST TEACHER ? PROSE OR POETRY?

  10. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    WHAT YOU WANT FIRST DAVID ? PROSE OR POETRY?

  11. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    TWO INTERESTING OPINIONS FROM ELSEWHERE

    Many things that we do are not a part of our job description. The problem with the adult, Bajan public is that a lot of the things teachers do, that we do not have to do, you take for granted and assume that we are to do as teachers.
    With every passing generation, because of the break down of traditional, core family values and social morals, more and more responsibility is piled on to our backs, while adults and children alike treat us with less and less respect, with the latter becoming more and more uncaring about their education and more and more badly raised. Then when we speak out against all the injustices piled against us by adults who should know better and by a society that is steadily declining, we are called “bad teachers”, we are told we “want firing”, we are condemned and insulted and made to feel guilty about standing up for our rights. What is wrong with standing up for our rights? Just because so many of you Bajans choose to sit and do nothing but grumble underneath your breath, while you are being “unfaired” by the powers that be, does not mean that teachers have to.
    MANY of you adults do not do anything at work that is not a part of your job description, who refuse point blank to do anything that is “above your pay grade.” Yet, when we teachers take the same stance as you, we are labelled as being uncaring. HYPOCRITES!
    Are we to sit down and let people walk all over us for the sake of YOUR children? Is that what being a teacher entails? Is teacher synonymous to “slave”? To “peon”? To “jackass?” To “second class citizen?” To “fool”??
    This matter can be easily solved. Either:
    1. Pay the teachers! Why? Because, those primary school teachers, who wish to, are allowed time out of school (with pay) to correct Common Entrance Papers. Furthermore, they are given a stipend to do so. S then, why can’t C.X. extend the same courtesy to the secondary school teachers, as it relates to the correction of S.B.As? Fair is fair.
    OR
    2. Pay other teachers, who do not teach at secondary school (believe it or not they are several who fit this criteria who already work for C.X.C) to correct the SBAs.

    2

    This has nothing to do with teachers’ greed. In fact it is their goodwill which has been abused far too long.
    CXC (now CSEC) is an externally administered procedure. It is not devised by the schools. The teachers do not define the parameters of the SBAs;CXC does.
    What CXC has done is that they have cajoled the soft-hearted teachers into doing CXCs job. The problem is now that CXC SBAs are not just a fifth year assignment for a few subjects. These SBAs now start in first form and cover more subject areas. Frankly it impedes on the teacher’s ability to be effective because it now cuts into their regular instruction time (their core job).
    In the same way that CXC pays persons, some of them not even teachers to administer their other written exams, the body needs to acknowledge this flaw and pay the professionals (teachers) who they require to mark the SBAs. The fact is that the SBAs must be graded. Otherwise it appears that it is the Government of Barbados (and the other territories) who is paying to grade the SBAs out of the teachers’ salaries.
    BTW I know the term professional linked to teacher irks alot of you bad-minded Bajans. I have worked on both sides of the fence and alot of parents won’t want to hear it but it is you who are failing your children in a big way. School is a haven for many and many teachers are standing as surrogate. Willingly so I might add because yes, most teachers after seeing the lack of care and direction that alot of these children have want nothing more than for them to rise out of their situation.
    To the teachers, keep caring. To the parents, start caring more than the teachers. To those of you with no children and just a bad memory of one teacher, grow up. toodles.

  12. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    @ac March 29, 2015 at 9:11 AM #

    Wait………I cannot believe that I would see the day that an ac could write a coherent unbiased post. Wow! But congrats anyhow!

  13. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Prodigal Son March 30, 2015 at 6:15 PM

    The credibility of the ac consortium has been blown out of the water especially in their ‘sterling’ defence of the CLICO fraud and the Speaker Carrington affair.

    They had to do something to seek to bring back at least a scintilla of integrity to their propaganda machinery.

  14. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    @ Miller

    You know!

  15. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    The Ministry of Education has now indicated that it will institute disciplinary proceedings as per the Public Service Regulations against any teacher who refuses to mark the SBAs or withholds SBA marks. It would appear that the Principals are in support of the Ministry.

  16. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    ALL THE TEACHERS NEED TO DO IS FOLLOW BUSHTEA ADVICE
    GIVE EVERYONE 98%
    NO ONE CAN THEN SAY THAT THEY DIDNT GRADE THE PAPERS
    ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THEY DID NOT

  17. David Avatar
    David

    @Ping Pong

    The ministry can threaten what they like, if the union membership holds what will they do? If the BUT joins forces with the BSTU what happens?

  18. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    David

    The membership does not seem to be holding together. There is division between appointed teachers and un-appointed teachers, between unionised and non unionised and even between teachers from different schools. The BUT is an unreliable partner as it represents mainly primary school teachers and teachers from “newer” secondary schools where the SBA load is not as acute as at the older secondary schools. It would also appear that it may be only Barbados that is pursuing this matter. The Trinidad teachers union for example has not presented this SBA matter to its membership. It will be ironic that the one time the union has some support from the public it loses.

    It is note worthy that coincidentally while the Ministry of Education is prepared to play “hardball”, Senator V dePeiza is reported to have upbraided health care workers for protesting conditions at the QEH and other public health matters. It is clear that the Government is not going to entertain any protest or dissenting view not matter how valid.

  19. David Avatar
    David

    @Ping Pong

    Thanks for your feedback. Mary Redman and her BSTU executive committee has demonstrated it is not intimidated by the ministry if we judge from past disputes. Would be interesting to hear from Patrick Frost.

  20. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    Is it possible that a clumsy intransigent attitude by the Government may be leading to a “tipping point”?

  21. findthetruth Avatar
    findthetruth

    Tuesday, March 31, 2015
    ALERT: The PARENT AWAKENING
    + Opt Out America Form

    AN ALERT BY ANITA B. HOGE

    View the Opt Out American Form HERE
    We are fighting together to keep our country free and protect our children from outside predators. Our Pennsylvania group released a Press Release on November 21, 2014, that explained to the country that the U.S. Department of Education through the National Center of Education Statistics and its clone, the IES, Institute for Educational Sciences, are collecting and harvesting our children’s personally identifiable information, including raw psychological profiles, without our knowledge and without our consent. Our children are in imminent danger and risk when this personally identifiable information is released to outside predators. It must be stopped. [Read: “Pennsylvania Citizens Call for Moratorium on Data Collection” and “The Story Behind the Pennsylvania Press Release and Open Letter.”]

    Recent coverage of Pearson testing contractor monitoring individual students taking the PARCC test has heightened this realization that our children’s personally identifiable information is not only being shared and monitored, but this data is used to make millions of dollars for corporate America. They get the data for free, but PENNSYLVANIA already contracted with multiple contractors including Pearson to develop and implement spy technology.

    The most unconscionable action taken against our children was the Obama Executive Order 12866, that gutted FERPA, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, allowing our children’s personally identifiable information to flow to outside contractors. Obama referred to this tsunami of data to vendors, businesses, foundations, higher ed, and corporations as “unlocking” the data. President Obama has stripped our children of their privacy and undressed their psyches for ANYONE to track and traffick attitudes, values, beliefs, and dispositions for research and reeducation programs. DNA sequences are also up for grabs. [Read: “HIPAA & FERPA”]

    But the Obama Executive Order did more yet. The unlocking of this data sharing contributed to the creation of a state longitudinal data system in every state that the NCES/IES funded “and created a “unique National ID” number that is tracking every person in the United States. Pennsylvania was a model state that developed this privacy invading “womb to workplace” system monitoring individuals from birth through retirement including collecting data on wages. The federal government is collecting this personally identifiable information on its citizens. But worse, the interventions to align our children’s attitudes, values, beliefs, and dispositions to Common Core, SCANS interpersonal skills are totalitarian.

    President Obama’s Executive Order 12866 is a revolving open door for child abuse and child endangerment. Parents, call Congress again and again to overrule Obama’s EO 12866 and stop the abuse of our children. Congress, listen, we parents are speaking. This data tracking, trafficking, and psychological treatment (RTI) must stop. By the way, “no one is exempt from arbitrary rule” – including your own children.

    First, we parents must OPT OUR CHILDREN OUT OF ALL STATE AND FEDERAL TESTING. We parents will not allow the state and local district to track this personally identifiable information including psychological profiles on our children to be trafficked to outside vendors.

    We parents do not have to look at the tests. We do not have to sign a disclosure statement. This is where the child abuse begins. In fact, we parents CANNOT OPT A CHILD INTO THIS CHILD ENDANGERMENT. Pennsylvania has NCES, National Center for Education Statistics, contracts that reveal that they are disclosing the data. This is illegal. No one can force us to endanger our children. Data tracking and trafficking of personally identifiable information is illegal.

    This is The Parent Awakening! We will protect our children! (Below is a list of violations to support our position and was given to the Pennsylvania House Education Committee Hearings on February 12, 2015.)

    Second, we parents must stop the state longitudinal data collection that starts on the local level. We must Opt Out of directory information. We will remove our child’s unique ID number from all of his/her papers. We will not allow the school to use the unique ID for anything relating to our children.

    Third, we parents demand that schools cease to use computers that monitor all movements, data clicks, and surveillance of our children in software programs. We demand paper and pencil. The traditional way is the only way right now to protect our children.

    Fourth, we parents must call and call our representatives and ask them to join The Parent Awakening.

    Note to our children: We love you so very much. We shall protect you. xoxo, Mom and Dad

    NO to data tracking and trafficking.
NO to child endangerment. 
NO to the bastardization of Title I and IDEA and Choice.
NO to child maltreatment. 
NO to Common Core. 
NO to SCANS.
NO to Rep.Kline's HR 5 and hybrids. 
NO to Senator Alexander's ESEA. 
NO to federalizing schools. 
NO to Casey's Pre-K - 12.
NO to Murphy's HR 3717. 

YES to parent’s rights. 
YES to Carnegie Units.
YES to First and Fourth Amendments. 
YES to local control.   
YES to freedom. 
YES to our child's unique future.  
YES to The PARENT AWAKENING!

    Note to Other States on Documentation:
    Link your state contract that collects your child’s uniques National ID number here and add to your own letter: “The Greatest Christmas Present to America 2014” also published here: http://www.newswithviews.com/Hoge/anita112.htm

    This alert was originally published with the name “The Parent Spring.” It is now re-published on this blog, with the permission of Anita Hoge, under the new title “ALERT: The Parent Awakening.”

    For related blog posts, see:
    What is Title I Portability?
    This is Title I Portability
    Wrong, Wrong, Wrong on H.R. 5

    For a complete listing of Anita Hoge’s alerts on this blog, see the post “It Wasn’t US!” and scroll to the bottom.
    Posted by Charlotte Iserbyt at 10:25 AM
    http://abcsofdumbdown.blogspot.com/2015/03/alert-parent-awakening.html

  22. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @ping pong
    A greater force is needed for that tipping point.

    @David
    The strength of Mary and her executive is not reflected in the strength of the SBA teachers.

    As usual her “prosecution” of the case has glaring holes in it. Let us not forget Alexandra and the eventual “no-win” outcome.

    The teachers may have a case, but the arguments are unsound, the timing is ridiculous and the demand (money) way short of the real demand they should really be arguing for. They should also note that their “lone wolf” action now places the entire Caribbean as well as Barbadian students in a tad bit of a pickle.

    Just observing.

  23. Togetherness Avatar
    Togetherness

    @David March 31, 2015 at 7:15 PM #

    @Ping Pong

    Thanks for your feedback. Mary Redman and her BSTU executive committee has demonstrated it is not intimidated by the ministry if we judge from past disputes. Would be interesting to hear from Patrick Frost.

    You don’t have to hear from Patrick Frost the woman he mentors Mary Redman is his echo chamber. It boosts our confidence to see Jeff Broomes and Vere Parris have the fortitude to repel the disruptive nonsense pushed by Redman no doubt Frost is in lock step with her. He may be caught up with Bynoe in the baffling cause of stopping vote buying but if the temperature rises on the SBA debacle expect to see him at Redman’s side. Broomes who resumes his fierce battle with Redman is on solid ground and Parris knows what he is about. The major casualties of the stance of Redman and her cohorts are the children of Barbados. Lord come for your world.

    Congrats to Ronald Jones on his announcement to give full scholarships to outstanding athletes. This is an overdue move and should go a long way to realizing to the fullest extent some of the special talents in Barbados’ sports. He must to go further and do the same for other disciplines like volleyball, football, swimming, tennis and cycling. The recipients must be bonded to pursue their chosen discipline as their core work and not wander off into the wilderness as they currently do in scholarships arranged by Jerston, Jack Bovell, Castangne and the rest. They may be well intentioned but the final output has been zilch adding little if any to Barbados sports prowess.

  24. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Good analysis Observing.
    …but you are being diplomatic…

    Miss Redman is too small minded, arrogant and petty. Even with an arguable case, she has managed to push herself and her union into a position where they come across as the terrorists.
    steupsss….

    Only an idiot (like Peter Wickham – who apparently is one of her students (surprise surprise)) would see no problem in jeopardising the future of large number of children in pursuit of a few dollars….while all other caribbean (and private school) children succeed.

    The very first question Redman should answer is …where the hell was the union when this process FIRST STARTED…?
    shiite man…. that was the time to notice that this was work outside of their mandate, and to negotiate payment…..
    …so for 8 years you set the precedent and then suddenly you are setting deadlines for drastic changes…..
    Remember Alexandra “Broomes MUST be fired…. this MUST happen….”
    lotta shiite… huffing and puffing and fuming…
    Wuh if Bushie was the minister of eddy kashun he probably would not meet with her either…

    Time for this red woman to go away and for BSTU to find a rational and effective leader….who can actually get things done.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @ observing

    Let us forget Redman and the BSTU for a moment, is there a leadership role for the MOE? Why not meet with the union and through dialogue defuse the issue? Why ignore and build on the distrust.

  26. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @Togetherness
    “The major casualties of the stance of Redman and her cohorts are the children of Barbados. ”

    Correct. Hopefully the majority of teachers would see past the money argument and do what is ethically and professionally right.

    @David
    is there a leadership role for the MOE?

    Indeed. But, the MOE can only be a mediator in this case rather than the leader.

    CXC is regional. They simply “administer” assessment tools on behalf of governments. Any decision this which affects CXC would affect the entire Caribbean. Now, if the BSTU was asking the MOE for stipends, allowances or other concessions in light of the “burden” that would be another issue. As I said, the BSTU as usual has barked up the wrong tree with a limp,hoarse Jack Russell rather than a Rottweiler.

    @Bushie
    we agree (but shhhhhh, don’t tell nuhbody).

    I”m often amazed at how “simple” issues are transmogrified (i now look up dat word ta impress wunna) into the messes that they become.

    Without breaking it down too much, the question the public and BU should ask is this…

    “What is the REAL prize that Miss Redman is aiming for?”

    I assure you, it is not compensation for SBA teachers.

    Just observing

  27. lighthouse Avatar
    lighthouse

    Folks we have to take all into account.’ To whom much is given much is expected.’ The teaching profession is the only one where the professionals are granted lengthy vacations three times per year with pay. more over we must not forget the issue of a term leave after some period of service; a relic of our colonial past when most teachers were expatriates and were allowed such time to return home for a while. Are these modern day mercenaries of the teaching service due this leave. I wish to tell the government send them to school in some of that vacation to correct the school based assessment. Where will cxc get the money to pay them on top of their extravagant salaries? All countries in the region are struggling financially. The teachers are a bunch of greedy, haughty and self serving brutes who care about no one but themselves. Suppose all key areas such as Immigration, Customs , Police, Fire and prisons become so strident. Think on it teachers. You area lawless selfish bunch. You are close to the edge of out doing yourself and attracting public hatred and scorn.

  28. David Avatar
    David

    @ observing

    The question for the MOE, have you responded to the BSTU to advise your position on the matter? If yes did you advise CXC about the concern and what was the response?

  29. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @David
    From what I’ve been whispered, the MOE’s position has been on every school’s noticeboard since last week via a memo and just in case it was missed, last night’s press release is pretty clear cut.

    According to Miss Redman, CXC would have been approached by the CUT on the matter previously, and various heads of ministries of education in the Caribbean would have been represented in some discussion on it with CXC.

    Erego, the issue is an ongoing regional one that NOW has to be ventilated and discussed at that level before any real collective decision is reached and changes in policies and procedures enacted at the territorial level.

    Given the above, you can decide if the BSTU is “right” in its action (note action, not demand).

    Again, search for real motive and it will all make sense. Mary Mary is never quite contrary by accident.

    Observing

  30. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    David
    You are making the salient point in this matter.Why does not the Ministry make known its input if any,in the dispute.

  31. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    RE “What is the REAL prize that Miss Redman is aiming for?”

    I assure you, it is not compensation for SBA teachers.

    DOES SHE NEED A MAN? LOL

  32. David Avatar
    David

    @Observing

    If this matter has been ‘festering’ since 2006, how long is too long if it may be wrong?

    Because it is being discussed at a regional level does it obviate assumed of the BSTU?

  33. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    According to Mary Redman,The MOE is failing to keep its promise to meet/respond to the BSTU’s concerns.The MOE is repeatedly ignoring the BSTU.Irrespective of the outcome,the civilized thing to do is to meet and hear the BSTU.That is how folk in a civilized society behave.Its a shame that the likes of Karen Best and Ronald Jones appear not to respect the same teachers upon whose backs they climbed to reach where they are.Meet with the teachers and follow protocol.As in the Alexandra issue,the MOE is unable to step up to the plate and sort this one out with equity and fairness to all concerned,if not to all to the majority.

  34. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @Gabriel
    How is the MOE to “sort this one out”

    @David
    Alexandra festered for years as well. Feels like deja vu.

    Let me say that this issue can balloon to precedent setting, regional industrial relations, examining body-ministry-teacher/employee relations and of course…money.

    Any decision eventually made here will significantly impact students, teachers, schools, ministries, legislation, policies, CXC, certifications and even some economies and education systems for years to come. It’s easy to dumb it down to “pay me for marking” but it really always much bigger.

    The Union(s) have a right to agitate for compensation, whether they get it in the end or not is another matter…but…this action by BSTU is simply wrong.

    Miss Redman understands what she is doing quite well. In poker terms she has seen the first decent hand in a while and has gone “all in.”

    Is anyone willing to research to see if CUT’s position represents all of CUT or is it really BSTU’s position being adopted by CUT?

    Is anyone wondering why other territories have not jumped in immediately on this supposed “unified and unanimous” position?

    Does anyone care to guess who the chief proponent of the issue at the level of CUT is???

    Uh mean, cuddear. We can really do and be better than this. But then again, trade unions have not recently given us any reason to believe so recently

    @GP
    Not sure if a man is the ultimate goal. lol. I’ll have to ask her if I ever get close to her.

    Observing

  35. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    Ronald Jones has laid down the law. Any teacher caught in close encounters with students, will be dismissed from the service. Zero Tolerance ,he warned.
    Mr Minister where is the Zero Tolerance with the almost weekly announcement that some school girl , usually “full chested and tattooed ” ones have gone missing. Mr Minister where is the Zero tolerance towards individuals who encourage these young girls to go AWOL.
    Mr Minister, will your Zero Tolerance, when these young girls go missing, include calling out the Police, the Defence Force, the Red Cross, Crime Stoppers, Drones, Ropers and the Animal control unit,doggie hunters?

  36. David Avatar
    David

    We may disagree with Redman and the BSTU as we would any judgement call. The MOE is responsible for managing education in Barbados and should have as an accountability of maintaining good IR with stakeholders. Why has the MOE ignored this matter since 2006? Let us start the conversation at this point.

    On another note, the DLP yardies had a lot to say about Broomes when he criticized teachers at a speech day at AX, yesterday the minister tossed serious criticism at teachers at a Lodge School speech day.

    JAs

  37. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @David
    “Why has the MOE ignored this matter since 2006? Let us start the conversation at this point.”

    Because they ignore EVERYTHING that’s uncomfortable. lol.

    The unions in B’dos need to regrow balls and agitate with purpose and sense. Things may actually get a little better for the masses then.

    Observing

  38. David Avatar
    David

    @Observing

    Say what you like the BSTU appears to have the support of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT).

    On a related note the NUPW total voter turnout 1289 voted yesterday? Really? What is the total NUPW membership? What a farce!

  39. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    David

    with regards to your comment to Observing i.e “Say what you like the BSTU appears to have the support of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT).”

    don’t you think that the BSTU should have gotten the support of Bajan teachers first and that the “support of the CUT” should mean more than the tepid support of a handful of people on the CUT executive?

    One long steups…

  40. David Avatar
    David

    @Ping Pong

    An ideal position but the leverage to force the issue will be the regional support BSTU is able to garner which in turn will bring the membership along. Bear in mind our unions are highly fractious and susceptible to political mamaguying.

  41. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    Wunna Davids like this Devil’s advocate role nuh? 🙂

    Ping Pong is right.
    In fact, BSTU should not even be driving such an issue. It should be the teachers THROUGH BSTU if indeed they feel aggrieved enough to do so. Having operated this way for 8 years, how is it suddenly urgent…?

    One gets the feeling that Ms Redman is still pissed that Jones failed to fire Broomes….or to let him retire early….
    Somehow she kept bringing up the Ax matter during a call on brasstacks ….

    LOL
    Until Broomes retires, it seems that the teacher’s unions will have critical issues that require drastic action rather than negotiations.

  42. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    …but there is NO regional support as yet!!

  43. David Avatar
    David

    @Ping Ping

    The BSTU by courting the CUT has exposed the inability or ignorance to represent teachers in the matter. From where we sit the MOE is not blameless in the matter.

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