BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, June 17th 2014 (TUCOM):-Over 600 teachers stand to benefit from the commitment of Team Unity to remove VAT from educational supplies. The commitment was first made during a high level meeting between Team Unity and the St Kitts Teachers Union. Teachers drew attention of Team Unity, to pressures put on them to supplement learning and teaching aids.
Teachers were concerned that these purchases which properly ought to be the duty of the government, attracted VAT at 17 percent. In effect this means that the teachers are being punished to be good Samaritans to our students and our schools. The teachers rightly asked for consideration on this matter.
The delegation from Team Unity felt that it was unfair that the teachers should be so burdened in purchasing learning aids and then bear the burden of VAT.
A few years back Hon Shawn Richards called on the government to remove VAT from chalk, a necessary educational supply.
VAT was introduced in 2011 as part of the Douglas regime fiscal austerity measures to gain a bailout of EC $225 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
At Friday’s rally on Bank Street, Team Unity’s Leader Dr the Hon Timothy Harris reiterated its commitment to bring this relief to our teachers.
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