The executive of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers is displeased with the progress being made by the Ministry of Education and Sports in upgrading public school educators.
Just over three hundred teachers are waiting to be upgraded after becoming qualified through higher learning.
Although the process is underway, correspondences dated 1st December, 2022 from A&BUT president Casroy Charles to the body’s members said the ministry’s slowness to act will cause a delay in rectifying emoluments for those who qualify for an upgrade.
Charles said only one third of those qualified were promised letters confirming their upgrade by 9th December, 2022.
Additionally, no definite date was given when the remaining teachers could expect to receive their letters of upgrade.
The A&BUT president’s move to pen the letter to the union’s members informing them that the situation is out of his control is likely because the organisation is under pressure to resolve the issue.
“Consequently, the Executive of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers perceives that the present realities as it relates to teachers’ upgrade violates [sic] several tenets including compensation, employment practices and employee-employer relationship. We assure you that this issue will be adequately addressed to ensure that quality industrial relations practices are synonymous with our working environment.
“Therefore, the Executive of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers will be requesting an official communication from the Ministry of Education that speaks to how they intend to complete the process of upgrading the teachers who have been awaiting upgrades since 2013. So that the tenets of your psychological and political wellbeing can be furnished with the level of relief you are entitled,” and excerpt from the letter read.
A source told Pointe Xpress that the Ministry of Education and Sports can only work on completing the process once the necessary documents are received from the Establishment Division and this is taking place in batches.
Once a careful review is carried out, then letters will be prepared and distributed to eligible teachers.
This process, the source revealed, is ongoing and many public school teachers are expected to receive their letters shortly.