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Gov’t Announces School Closures Amidst Teacher Strike

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By Shermain Bique-Charles
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In a statement issued tonight, the Ministry of Education has informed parents of students attending public schools that they should keep their children at home on Monday.

This follows the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (ABUT) ‘s announcement of the continuation of industrial action, which prompted a swift response from the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Creative Industries.

As a result, all classes scheduled for Monday, May 12, 2025, have been officially canceled across public schools in the country.

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Parents and guardians are advised to keep their children at home until an agreement is reached with ABUT and further notice is provided regarding the resumption of classes.

The Ministry emphasized that the decision to cancel classes was primarily based on security concerns for students.
It is important to note that the closure does not apply to public school teachers, who are still required to report for duty during this period of uncertainty.

In addition, the Ministry reassured the public that there would be no disruptions to the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council, ensuring that students scheduled to sit for these important exams can proceed as planned.

This story was first published by Antigua News on May 11, 2025: antigua.news/2025/05/11/govt-announces-school-closures-amidst-teacher-strike. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

Read our editorial standards and corrections policy. Spotted an error? Contact the newsroom.

Comments (17)

  • Anonymous May 11, 2025, 10:07 PM

    N am here hustlein to get stuff done for tmrw morning..
    Reply

  • Rhea May 11, 2025, 10:10 PM

    And here we go. An official. our children shall suffer statement!!
    Reply

    • Unruly One May 12, 2025, 8:14 PM

      Yup our children are already studying because of this foolishness. No thought for the children who will drop behind.
      Reply

  • Antigua Surf May 11, 2025, 10:13 PM

    Did i expect any better than this? What Gaston has to say about that? How is the government hiding from this?
    Reply

    • Starlight May 12, 2025, 1:33 PM

      So what I wanna know is when will school resume ….or when will parents know
      Reply

  • Romeo May 11, 2025, 10:13 PM

    Pure rubbish. No one is indispensable. Surely the old fruits can be replaced. I am sure not every teacher is happy about this. One man is leading the people astray. Will the real Hitler please stand up
    Reply

  • Priscilla May 11, 2025, 10:32 PM

    This is not even necessary. We act like children. Messy much. Not good at all.
    Reply

  • Anonymous May 11, 2025, 11:14 PM

    These Rugrats ain’t learning anything anyway, put them on farms to grow food for the nation.
    Reply

    • Juju Bee May 12, 2025, 9:24 AM

      Referring to yourself and your clam I contend
      Reply

  • Secondary school teacher May 12, 2025, 4:56 AM

    It’s very easy for persons who are not affected to have an opinion. As a teacher, at a public school I can confirm that more than 50% of the children do not want to learn or be in school based on their own sentiments. With universal secondary education, we now have to have readers for some students taking CSEC, something that wasn’t happening 18 years ago when I did CXC. To conclude, I would like to ask the people of Antigua to ask and answer themselves honestly; would you continue to work happily and diligently if your employer owed you more than $20 000 and the balance continues to increase by $500 each month? Would you put feelings of distrust aside and go back to work after numerous failed promises to pay? Would you find the selfless discipline to teach the ever growing list of disrespectful students while struggling to make ends meet and the constant rejection from financial institutions for a mortgage on the premise that you can’t afford it? More than likely the answer is no for all of the above if the person had half a conscience. Togetherness for progress!
    Reply

    • Lovely May 12, 2025, 5:18 AM

      Then why you all don’t leave teaching if you all hate it so much. Why punish the children. Some of you all not doing any work. Look at the passes. You all just giving the children assignment and not doing no work in the classroom. Gaston should bring in Teachers from other Caribbean countries.
      Reply

    • Food4thought May 12, 2025, 5:44 AM

      You don’t think that once they leave teaching yall, already dumb children will be dumber? Think wisely. Ik once your job don’t meet you command you’re going to call sick n all kinds story.
      Reply

    • Jezz May 12, 2025, 9:57 AM

      So the teachers are responsible for some of you people’s dumb ass children? HOW ABOUT BEING RESPONSIBLE PARENTS? How about making sure your kids do their homework and other assignments? How about teaching your children to be respectful and accountable? Your children are what they LIVE! They see you marking excuses, and blaming others for your subpar, dismal, parenting skills. It’s called ACCOUNTABILITY! RAISE YOUR OWN KIDS AND STOP SHIFTING YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE TEACHERS!
      Reply

    • Secondary school teacher May 12, 2025, 3:29 PM

      You are obviously not a teacher or an observant parent. Teachers prefer not to give homework these days because most of the children don’t do them. Do you just leave a job because there are challenges/ can you recommend a job that’s perfect? Do you think that people from other Caribbean countries don’t want to be paid? The pass rates are a reflection of universal secondary education..fyi. You sound like a fool.
      Reply

  • Gamal Goodwin May 12, 2025, 7:40 AM

    Interesting…
    Reply

    • Jezz May 12, 2025, 9:52 AM

      Let’s see how you people who are spewing your negative remarks on here, would react if your employer messed with your pay. How would you handle it?? TEACHERS HAVE FAMILIES, AND BILLS TO PAY! While you’re busy taking care of yours, THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIRS TOO!
      Reply

  • Rhonda May 12, 2025, 12:05 PM

    Teachers are not the issue. Their leader is the issue. This insane man who thinks he can mess up the government by being political. Where is the sence
    Reply

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