Will Teacher Salaries Be Docked for Protest?

Elena Smith

Since the announcement of the rally, there have been a number of memos issued to teachers. Those memos say that those who do not show up to teach on Thursday will not receive the day’s pay. Smith says the managing authorities have the responsibility to inform the teachers of what the possible consequences may be, but the ultimate decision is up to the Ministry of Education, which has indicated its support for the initiative. Smith calls on teachers not to be scared away from Thursday’s rally:

Elena Smith, National President, B.N.T.U.

“We want to say to our teachers that, despite the fact that you have seen memos coming from the Ministry saying that salaries will be docked or might be docked, we want teachers to understand that the managing authorities do have a responsibility to inform them as to what their rights are and what could be possible consequences of us taking those rights on. However, we want to remind our teachers as well that it is the Ministry that has the final say on the docking of salaries and based on our understanding from the Ministry that that is not going to be done.”

Reporter

“So, concretely, can you say if any principals, teachers or branches have received letters from their school management indicating that salaries will be docked?”

Elena Smith

“Yes. We have seen memos being sent out from the Catholic Management; Anglican Management, I believe, I am not sure if it is from the general manager or the local manager; and we have also seen one from the manager of the Government schools who have sent out these things to teachers. Again, we want teachers to understand that don’t let these things intimidate you because as managing authorities, they have a responsibility. Again, I will say that to inform teachers of what their roles are and what possible consequences are. So, they are just doing their duties as managers to inform.”