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Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones??
After four hours of intense discussions between representatives of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and the Barbados Secondary Teacher’s Union (BSTU), the two entities have issued a joint statement indicating their commitment to working together to resolve outstanding industrial relations issues at the Alexandra School, in St. Peter.
Speaking on behalf of persons at the meeting, Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones, noted that both parties had committed to a series of follow-up meetings over the next three to four weeks, with the first one scheduled to be held as early as next week.
He further stated that the BSTU had committed to an orderly start for the new school year for the Alexandra school and other secondary schools throughout the island.
"The union has agreed with the Ministry for a full inspection, according to the Education Act, to be done at the Alexandra School and the Ministry has…asked the BSTU for a nominee to serve with that inspecting team, who is not a sitting member of the delegation," Mr. Jones added.
Both parties also concurred that conclusions agreed to, in previous meetings chaired by the Permanent Secretary, would be settled urgently so that affected parties could be satisfied that the Ministry acted in "good faith".??????????????
Additionally, Mr. Jones disclosed that correspondence from his Ministry, dated May 17, which spoke to the withholding of salaries of teachers who went on strike earlier this year, had been placed "on hold" until other industrial relations issues had been resolved.
The Minister also explained that he would sit for at least one or two subsequent meetings to assist in the resolution of the outstanding industrial relations issues, but that the permanent secretary would remain the leader of discussions among all contending parties.??kmoore@barbados.gov.bb