BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts Teachers Union (SKTU) has declared their distrust for officials from the Ministry of Education in dealing with the Basseterre High School saga.
During a press conference held today (Jul. 18) President of the SKTU Bishop Ron Collins stated that there is ample reason for their feelings towards the Education Ministry officials.
“We are operating in an environment of great distrust. How can the same players who have been there before and have put their own spin on past reports? How can these same players who fought us, who have lied to us now come and implement these recommendations without monitoring and supervision? There has been no meaningful action to build trust on their part.”
Days ago, the report compiled by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on the state of the BHS environment was released and a number of groups and individuals have expressed their interpretation - some very different from others - of the findings.
Collins informed that regarding the report, the SKTU has formed its own panel to review it and advice on the way forward would be given.
“The St. Kitts Teachers Union has formed a panel of experts in science and medicine to review the report and to advise us accordingly. The panel is still at its work. We received an invitation from the Permanent Secretary asking us to meet on Friday. We have not had enough time to review this report and receive information from the panel. We must be able to attend a meeting where our discussion will be regarded, our opinions will be valued and so with the cluster of problems that seem to be ongoing for months.”
Collins also disclosed that the Education Ministry has thwarted attempts by the organisation he leads, to have proper dialogue about the issue at the BHS.
“The actions of the Ministry of Education however clearly support our view that the Ministry of Education is not serious about dialogue and discussion and they were deliberately deceptive not once but repeatedly over a period of months. We are of the view that we were deceived by the continuous stalling discussions and refusing to be upfront with the union and BHS teachers about issues with reference to health problems at the school.
“Throughout our journey in this ordeal and throughout the many problems the ministry has rebuffed and ignored Union request continually, to sit together in meaningful genuine face-to-face discussion about issues risen at the school during the past few turbulent years. Instead of communicating with parents and teachers and the Union, the Ministry has been implementing measures to punish our teachers.”
He however stated that the SKTU has reached out once again to the Ministry hoping for improved dialogue between both parties.
“The teachers have offered an olive branch, the Union has offered an olive branch, urging the ministry to dialogue with teachers and their chosen representatives. Throughout the ordeal we have been alarmed and highly disgusted by the lack of empathy from the education and health officials about our troubling ailments.
“We call on the Ministry to change its current past and be more of a service and support centre than a top down dictatorial command centre where its orders must never be questioned.”
It was expressed by Collins that the BHS saga is not a political issue but rather a twofold problem.
“The Basseterre High School problem is a twofold issue: first and foremost it is a public health and safety issue and it is an occupational health and safety issue. It is not a political issue!”
He entreated that an independent group of the best minds in science and medicine be established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the CARPHA report.
“It is our hope there will be open discussion on the recently received report. We should get our best minds in the area of science and medicine to analyse and monitor the implementation of the recommendation. All stakeholders have a right to be involved in this process.”
