Hon Daryll Matthew, Minister of Education, Sports, and the Creative Industries
By Shermain Bique-Charles
[email protected]
“We cannot continue forward with this type of hostility”.
Education Minister Daryll Matthew did not mince words during Thursday’s Parliament sitting when reflecting on the recent actions of the Antigua Barbuda Union of Teachers (ABUT) and its membership.
Matthew dispelled any claims that the Ministry of Education was not open to ensuring that the recent stipend issues were completed.
He believes that the actions taken by the ABUT were too drastic, especially when the matter did not affect Primary School teachers.
Nevertheless, the minister is hoping that moving forward both parties can have a more amicable relationship where matters are dealt with in a less hostile manner as “the government will do everything it can to continue working with the union to ensure teachers and students are apart of an education system that is beneficial for everyone”.
“We have never pushed back on any issue that benefits our educators, and we will not because we recognize he important role they play in society. I am simply asking for their bargaining agent to be more responsible in their public utterances, and I dare say in its behaviour,” Matthew added.
Teachers concluded a week-long industrial action on Monday afternoon, allowing schools to resume regular operations on Tuesday.
This situation had many members of the public divided in their opinions. Some supported the teachers, while others criticized their actions, arguing that the strike was excessive and had a negative impact on students.
Is there any entity in Antigua more aggressive and hostile and bad minded than the Antigua government..is there really??????
Antigua and barbuda has no responsible union. They are all political. Mister minister you know this.
The only person politicising the situation is the PM. All teachers are not opposition but all teachers want their long earned money. If you were owed for 7 years you would want your money too. The govt was indeed resistant to pay teachers or it would not have taken 7 yrs to start pay or would wait for the threat of strike for cabinet to give the order to pay.
I have a mic, I need you to speak in it! These teachers strike for the purpose of their money. However the PM feel it’s a lash to the ABLP cause everybody now know of their wickedness and he pinned it as a political behavior. This is how much this man only care about his self and his image.
The truth is that all the unions are political and whatever is done even though for the good of the teachers, someone will feel some sort of greiviance. Smh
The Minister insists the government never pushed back on issues that benefit educators. However, the very fact that industrial action occurred suggests that communication or trust may be lacking. Acknowledging that perception gap is essential for meaningful dialogue.