The Tribune

By Rashad Rolle

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

TEACHERS of Stephen Dillet Primary School are trying to oust their principal, with Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson threatening industrial action if their demands are not met.

Eighteen teachers participated in a “sit out” outside the school’s gates yesterday after lunch after the principal, Phyllis Johnson, allegedly prevented them from holding a lunchtime union meeting inside the school, they said.

Ms Johnson did not return The Tribune’s calls seeking comment yesterday.

The teachers claimed the principal has been disrespectful to them and refuses to address their concerns.

They said they have circulated a petition listing their concerns about her. Thirty of the school’s 40 teachers are said to have signed the petition although The Tribune could not obtain the document before press time yesterday.

Ms Wilson said: “I am annoyed at the manner in which these matters are being dealt with from September to present. Numerous complaints and/or grievances have come into us just from a small handful of schools. The principal is being ill-advised and ought to meet with the union. When teachers try to meet with union or shop steward at lunch time, they are being denied.

“Today Stephen Dillet’s shop steward requested a meeting but the principal denied them that right and told them if they want a meeting, they must go outside and not have it during lunchtime,” she claimed. “That is a breach of the agreement and a breach of union rights. We’ve been through this mess before where a judge gave an order for the then director to write a circular informing schools that a union leader has a right to have lunchtime meetings with teachers. I am calling on the minister, calling on his permanent secretary and those at the ministry to speak to their principals to let them know of their obligations.”

She added: “Morale at the school is low. A major concern is that children were given exams in Christmas on topics that were not taught by teachers. It was pushed and approved by the district superintendent although teachers explained the content would disadvantage the students. As a result, the grades of the students were poor and that reflected on the children’s final exam at the end of the term. They think the principal . . . does not give them a fair opportunity to meet with her to discuss day-to-day affairs at the school.”

Yesterday, Acting Permanent Secretary Reginald Saunders said: “The Ministry of Education is aware of the situation. There is an ongoing investigation of the union’s claims and a statement will be forthcoming.”

Nonetheless, Ms Wilson called on the principal to understand her role.

“...It always has to be her way; she will realise you cannot lead a school by yourself. Teachers are a very valuable part of a school and the principal needs training, needs to mature, needs to know what her role is as a principal. We will not stand down on this matter until it is resolved.”

Ms Wilson said her union has already written the Ministry of Education about its concerns, adding: “They’ve had more than enough time to respond to the concerns of the teachers; we will take industrial action or take our matter to the Department of Labour or if not that, then the Supreme Court.”

One teacher during the “sit out” yesterday said she has been at the school for 24 years and has never had such a problem with an administrator.

The principal, they said, took over in September. This is her first post serving as principal, although she has been a vice principal before, The Tribune was told.

Stephen Dillet is no stranger to demonstration over work-related issues. The school was previously in the news for its myriad of physical challenges that prompted protests from teachers.

Teachers yesterday said the school’s air-conditioner still does not work properly and renovations haven’t been completed.