A&BUT pays courtesy call on Minister of Education  by Joycelyn Adams posted by Admin on Wed 01 July-2:45 p.m.

 

The executive of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers met with the Minister of Education, Dr. Jacqui Quinn Leandro on Wednesday 13^th May, for a familiarizing visit, proposed by the union. The members of the union are of the view that the new Minister should be acquainted with the body with whom she and by extension, the Ministry of Education, will be in constant consultation.  Mrs. Jacinta Pringle, the Director of Education was also present at the meeting.

During this meeting, Dr. Leandro spoke about the vision for the Ministry, which is “To ensure that children and youths of Antigua and Barbuda are provided with the highest quality of education possible from pre-school to university.”

She outlined the various changes which will be made within the education system which include the introduction of universal secondary education, as of September this year for the Grade 9 students and 2010 for the Grade 6 students. The Director of Education was invited to provide further details on these and other issues. 

The Union took the opportunity place a number of issues on the table for the minister's consideration.  One of which is the fact that the intention to lengthen the school day was first declared in the Throne Speech without consultation with teachers, the persons who will by affected by such a change. There were also concerns about the union’s input in various matters in the past which were later disregarded. Perhaps the issue of greatest importance to the union was that of the full implementation of the various provisions within the collective agreement.  The minister gave the undertaking that she will move with urgency to ensure that our concerns are addressed. She also promised faithfully, that going forward,  the Union will be engaged on all maters affecting education .

The members however informed her that such promises were always made but were never kept.  She reassured the executive that it was her intentions to actively engage the union as partner in all major decisions for the improvement of education in Antigua and Barbuda.