THE LEADERS of Barbados’ two teachers’ unions think their members generally dress appropriately for the job.
Karen Best, president of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), said as far as she knew, all teachers were dressed “professionally” for school.
“The ministry has not provided a dress code for teachers just like how you have the police and others in uniforms. We don’t have a uniform and for the most part teachers are dressed professionally.
“Whatever gear they wear, and how they wear it, brings credit to the schools and that is what I see. I haven’t seen any that is untidy or not properly dressed,” argued Best.
Mary Redman, president of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), said there were no complaints about the dress code of teachers as far as she was concerned.
She told the SATURDAY SUN that “generally” she did not see the dress code of teachers as “an area of concern” given the “less than desirable conditions” that they operated in.
“Many teachers operate in classrooms where there are inferior furniture. The classrooms are hot and overcrowded and given the facilities that they have to operate in, they do present themselves generally in a professional manner. I do not get any complaints from the ministry about people’s dress code. I don’t see it as an area of concern,” she said.
However Rhonda Blackman, president of the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTA), contends that though only a minority of teachers do dress slack, the fact that it happens should be concern enough for the Ministry of Education to take action.
“There were incidents reported of at least two teachers coming to work with tongue rings – totally disgusting. Some even wear to work their anklelets, a practice that should never be encouraged. Tattoos, too, should not be openly displayed.
“We believe that teachers should dress as if they are going to a place of business and not as if they are going to town.
“Could you imagine a teacher coming to work in slippers?”, she asked rhetorically.
“We need to stamp out the bad weeds now. Regardless of the excuses, there are some things that teachers should never wear to work. We need to maintain standards in terms of dress, and teachers need to lead by example,” she insisted. (SP/MM)
