Stands ready to take industrial action if necessary
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts Teachers' Union and the Parent Teachers Association of Basseterre High School (BHS) have today (Apr. 30) issued a joint statement regarding the ongoing health crisis being experienced at that learning institution.
The statement expressed the two organisations' disgust with the manner in which the situation was handled and also made a call on the St. Kitts-Nevis government to implement certain measures and recommendations.
The press release stated that both organisations stand together against the "mismanagement and careless handling of the health and safety of the teachers and students of the Basseterre High School, by both Ministries of Education and Health".
"We stand as one against the injustices being meted out in response to this crisis by these ministries. We stand together against the deceptions and the lack of transparency and communication from the Ministry of Education on this critical matter. Together we declare that health comes first!
"For months our health issues were ignored and dismissed by the Ministries of Education and Health. The state of confusion, disruption of education and illness of our teachers and students are the result of the wanton, reckless, and grossly careless handling of this crisis.
"For months both the PTA and teachers have pleaded with the Ministry of Education to address this problem of continued illness but have met with much disdain and utter disregard for the welfare of our teachers and students. This has been a horror story for teachers and students," the release said.
The release went on to state that the recent pre-assignment by the (CARIRI) has confirmed the reports of illness by the staff at the school and also, the recommendations made by them to resolve the issues, adding that "we feel that there was utter disregard for the welfare and rights of our teachers".
The organisations expressed that they are of the view that the Ministries have shown unwillingness to resolve the school's issues, which they believe to be a violation of their rights to be heard.
"We believe that by their actions they have put the lives of teachers and students at risk. We condemn the response of the Ministry of Education in their months of dismissal of the anecdotal evidence and the lack of acceptance that the illnesses experienced by both teachers and students are real. The Ministries of Health and of Education have failed us," the release expressed.
The organisations are calling upon the St. Kitts-Nevis government to "set up an independent inquiry into the management and response of this crisis by the Ministries of Health and Education", noting that the Teachers' Union and the PTA would support the staff and students of BHS via island-wide industrial action if deemed necessary.
The SKTU and BHS PTA called on the Ministry of Education to adhere to the following:
• Implement all the recommendations of the CARIRI Report and of its Pre-Assignment Visit;
• Allow for transparency and adequate communications by allowing all stakeholders a voice in decisions that will affect the learning and working conditions of teachers and students. This is in the best interest of preserving an atmosphere of respect and trust;
• Recognise the right of teachers to be represented by their Union and cease immediately from marginalizing the Union and PTA;
• Apologise to Dr Thelma Phillip-Browne for the disrespectful and highly erroneous attack and statements made about her;
• Apologise to our teachers and students for the months of dismissal of our medical complaints;
• To not return the school to the site until all tests have been completed, all recommendations implemented, and independent, scientific institutions have agreed, with credible evidence presented to stakeholders, that the site is indeed safe;
• Work with the Union and PTA to relocate BHS to a safe site mutually acceptable to all stakeholders until comprehensive investigations are carried out to locate the source of mal-odours and dysfunctional septic systems that were not addressed in the recently completed repairs;
• Keep the school together and not institute any punitive actions, either now or in the future, against teachers and students because of their willingness to report their ailments or their actions in support of the St. Kitts Teachers’ Union; and
• To “act responsibly and reasonably” and to allow for “… mutual respect”.
"We stand ready together to resist the continued politicising of this health crisis. We stand ready together to fight for our right to be heard and be part of the efforts to resolve the existing health problems. We stand ready together to protect our teachers from victimisation for standing up for their rights," the release said.
