PHILIPSBURG–Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) has requested a meeting with new Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs (ECYS) Wycliffe Smith to discuss pressing matters in the education field, with the hope that there is continuity regarding matters embarked on by former ECYS Minister Jorien Wuite.
WITU President Claire Elshot said on Wednesday that the union, in its request for a meeting, had proposed to meet with the minister on August 23, just after school has reopened its doors for the new 2018-2019 academic year. Elshot said the union has not heard back from the minister on its request for a meeting, but she hopes he is able to meet with WITU on the requested date.
During the meeting the union plans to outline priority issues for teachers on which former minister Wuite had started working, amongst other things. One of the pressing matters for the union is for authorities to address the stagnation that teachers experience when they reach a certain spot on the salary scale. This is an issue that the union has raised with several former ministers.
“We would like to see continuity on this,” Elshot said. “[Wuite – Ed.] had promised to put a committee in place to address issues related to teachers. Some committees have already been formed and we look forward to continuity.”
Another issue of concern is the shortening of the school vacation, she said. Teachers were not happy that their school vacation has been shortened from six to four weeks. “The teachers would like to see this rectified.”
Elshot said there also are other issues the union would like to raise with the minister during the meeting.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78950-teachers-union-seeks-meeting-with-wycliffe
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