BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson.
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE BAHAMAS Union of Teachers has given the Ministry of Education until tomorrow to complete its investigations on Cuban teachers, saying it stands by its earlier comments that the new hires cannot speak English.
“Although the Ministry of Education has denied the concern that the Bahamas union of teachers has about the recently hired Cuban teachers, who are unable to speak English fluently, or clearly, I stand by my position, I have received the information from teachers and students throughout The Bahamas, at the schools where they have been assigned,” BUT president Belinda Wilson said in a recording yesterday.
“So, I've written to the Ministry of Education, again, I've given them until Wednesday, to complete their investigation and to decide what it is that they're going to do about the Cuban teachers who are unable to speak English because what happens is it negatively impacts our students and their learning process.”
Last week, Mrs Wilson called on the Ministry of Education to investigate the new recruits after local teachers complained about language barriers.
However, the Ministry of Education refuted the claims, saying the Cuban teachers were recruited “as a result of a scrutiny process” which involved seasoned public servants from several ministries and agencies.
The ministry also said it is confident that the new recruits are competent in English.
“It was unfortunate that the BUT was unable to send a representative interview panel,” the ministry said.
A teacher, who spoke to The Tribune on the condition of anonymity, claimed the ministry hired non-English speakers "only to show that they have a body in the classroom."
"They cannot speak any English and they are using their other friends to assist with interpreting what she wants to say," the teacher said.
Yesterday, Mrs Wilson recalled when a group of Cuban teachers had to be sent home several years ago because of similar issues.
“If they are here to complement our educational system, then definitely English - the speaking of English - must be the first basic tenant of their employment so I await until Wednesday for the ministry of education to respond to me on the investigation that I’ve asked them to conduct and I also say that I do have names of the teachers and the schools and the subject that they are here to teach,” she said.
“I don't want to go public with that information so I impress upon the Ministry of Education to ensure that they complete the investigation and they give a response to the Bahamas Union of Teachers.”
Comments
Topdude 7 months, 3 weeks ago
This is a shameful and unacceptable situation to say the least. It is downright disrespectful to our pupils and their learning. Is there another motive behind this development? Is this an attempt to indoctrinate our children with the communist philosophy of Cuba? All Cuban students are indoctrinated with Marxist and Leninist propaganda in every class. So the outcome will be students who support communism. The next move will be bringing teachers from Russia and sending our children to Russia and Cuba to study. Where are we headed?
FreeportFreddy 7 months, 3 weeks ago
You are funny!!
TalRussell 7 months, 3 weeks ago
.... Will our 'prayer leader,' step forward to lead us step-by step in prayer. --- We colony's schooling, just isn't 'cracked wonky' --- It's 'broken.' --- 'It's stuck, it's outdated,' and it's urgently in need of a 'demolition crew.. --- Yes?
mandela 7 months, 3 weeks ago
A Video or audio recording would be perfect evidence.
JackArawak 7 months, 3 weeks ago
It's hard to attract quality employees when you don't offer a quality salary
ohdrap4 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Has Belinda stopped saying "would have" yet?
Seems to me a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
ohdrap4 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Tenant? Should be tenet.
They need to find an advocate who can speak English.
FreeportFreddy 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Ax them why...
Topdude 7 months, 3 weeks ago
And these forlorn “teachers” are basically foreign exchange earners for the Cuban government. They only receive a portion of their salary. The difference is sent by the Government of the Bahamas directly to the Government of Cuba. And each teacher serves as an informant on all other teachers especially if they think the teacher will defect and seek freedom.
John 7 months, 3 weeks ago
The’MIss Donald Trump’ if The Bahamas!’ Is anything ever right? Is there never ever someone who needs to be fired or a contract that needs to be terminated? Where was Miss Trump when the recruiting, vetting and hiring process was going on? Why is Belinda Wilson always, ‘ after the fact?’ Because she thrives on being in media and draws her power from it. Always whipping authority. Basically everyone knows that Teachers are in demand all around the world. Teachers and nurses. There will be a shortage of some 60 million teachers in a few years! Bahamian teachers are being more recruited from in the Caribbean because they have an accent that is more easily understood and because they are more exposed to the US and Canada and even Britain. So potentially more adaptable. Remember The Bahamas use to recruit teachers from those countries and from Jamaica and Barbados and Trinidad. Now they are recruiting Bahamians.
. . Does Belinda Wilson ever come with the mindset to ‘let’s come together and work this out. Let’s seek an achievable solution. Tomorrow’s deadline will accomplish what? You can hardly go out and find a newspaper boy on short notice. Be real Belinda! To interrupt the school year abruptly on children whose education is already compromised will only benefit you by feeding your insatiable ego. Can’t you just reason together, sometimes? If the ministry was to pack these ‘non speaking’ Cuban teachers and ship them back home tomorrow, would that better the situation or make it worse?
DWW 7 months, 3 weeks ago
BUT makes things worse not better. prove me wrong please please please.
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