There is a fear that hundreds of temporary teachers may be caught up in a second round of retrenchments across the public service.
This is one reason why the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) is pushing to get hundreds of vacant posts filled in secondary and primary schools.
“[Minister of Finance] Chris Sinckler said that no teachers will be retrenched in this first round,” newly re-elected BUT president Pedro Shepherd told the DAILY NATION yesterday.
“But who can say if there will be a second round, if things don’t go according to plan? We are hoping to have temporary teachers sorted out before there is any talk of another round of retrenchment.”
Minister of Education Ronald Jones, addressing the opening session of the BUT’s 40th annual general conference last week, said that there were between 700 and 800 temporary teachers and that a “substantial number” would be appointed soon. (TY)
