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Williams Responds to Teachers Industrial Action

Winston Williams,  acting Minister of EducationAntigua St. Johns - Winston Williams,  acting Minister of Education, Sports, Youth and Gender Affairs, addressed the matter of the industrial action being taken by public sector members of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers due to late payment of salaries.

Although disappointed in the subsequent closure of schools, Williams recognized the right of members of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers to take industrial action and apologized on behalf of the government for the delay of said salaries.

Minister Williams however, reminded all education department service providers about their responsibility to the needs of students, and urged parents and guardians to keep a watchful eye over their children with regard to safety and ensuring continuous study during this action.
 
To the students, especially those in leadership positions such as school prefects and class monitors, he appealed for a movement of leading by example.  “Young people, I encourage you all to engage in positive and wholesome behaviour at all times. The benefits to be derived will be experienced not only now but well into the future. Do not affect your future negatively by engaging in destructive activities today. It is not worth it” he said.



Meanwhile the  Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers said they wish to salute all teachers and principals for their dedicated service over the years. They say thank you to all the members for their continued support in this crisis period, when salaries remain unpaid.

The A&BUT is by no means disappointed that principals have chosen to fulfill their primary responsibility to safeguard the welfare of the students at the schools. The A&BUT is aware that the staff still take their responsibility seriously, and from  investigation, the principals and teachers have acted with wisdom and good judgment.

To education officials, we wish to remind that “YOU CAN’T PUT STUDENTS FIRST IF YOU PUT TEACHERS LAST.”

 

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17 Comments In This Article   

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Elderstate woman

#17 Jane » 2013-03-15 17:00

Readers fret not your self as this person has tasted power and all its trappings and now believes he can resuscitate his dead political career. Unfortunately, the only thing he will be remembered for is consistently putting his feet in his mouth and for building fences around fences. There are scores of teachers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that their students become well rounded individuals and therefore productive citizens of this country. They deserve to be treated better.
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Jane

How do they survive

#16 wadad » 2013-03-14 01:50

It is almost the middle of the month , how do they expect the teachers to find the money buy gas and lunch to go to school. Look like we are heading towards a financial meltdown.
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wadad

Williams responds

#15 Miss Justice » 2013-03-13 18:55

While many sit back and persecute the teachers, we need to be reminded that some teachers spouses are civil servants who have not been paid also. Can you imagine the feeling of unease and uncertainty in the home? Well I am one of those spouse in the kitchen and feeling the heat. Why couldn't our ministers and parliamentarian s give up their options to receive their salaries last and pay the poor civil servants, whose salaries are paltry compared to what being paid to them and their chosen. Even with this sad state of not being able to pay, our Minister of finance see it fit to hire additional people on contracts paying them huge sums of money. We need to fix the small things first and give priority where it is due, make our teachers and future generation a priority.
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Miss Justice

RE: Williams Responds to Teachers Industrial Action

#14 bjsm » 2013-03-13 12:02

WNSTON ME SURE FU U GUTT FULL AH FOOD AND BILLS WELL PAID WHILE PPL LOAN DONE RISE WID LATE FEE..... ALL ARU MINISTER DUN ROB THE TREASURY SINCE MID MONTH ARU NA WAIT FU MONTH END..... SO WHA U HA FU SAY MA MEK A DIFFERENCE TO ME....PAY DE PPL DEM MONEY ARU AH NUTTIN BUT ONE BUNCH AH **...
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bjsm

Do you really care?

#13 Irritated » 2013-03-13 10:12

So, now on the 12th March Mr. Minister decides to say something about the issue of industrial action. I notice a trend that only when the teachers decide to finally take action the apologies seem to be trickling in. Are you genuinely sorry? You and others waited until well after the fact to start apologizing and giving excuses about late payments. Are the teachers and other workers dogs? It is well past the month end, how are teachers and civil servants to survive? The salaries are already minimal and to add to that you are consistently paying workers late and only apologize when workers start to agitate. All this you should consider Mr. Minister. because the fact that you waited until the 12th March to speak out makes me wonder if you and others really care and feel for workers or is it just that you are pushing your own and UPP's agenda. I agree that teachers should feel some guilt, guilt for working hard and then can't get the money to feed their children and pay their bills. Ge dem what dem work fa. I support you teachers 100%
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Irritated

Respect Our Teachers

#12 A Parent » 2013-03-13 09:59

I think it is total disrespect by the government for not paying our teachers. I have a daughter in secondary school an as much as I would prefer to have her in school I understand the teacher's plight and they have my full support.

Why don't Mrs Pringle and Winston Williams try going without their salaries, no gas in their vehicle, no food in their fridge, APUA breathing down their necks, Banks calling about mortgage payments, and the most heartbreaking of all you have no food to give your children. My heart goes out to homes where BOTH parents are in teaching profession.
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A Parent

winston

#11 a wa ya » 2013-03-13 09:45

winston you get pay yet...........w ho in them right mind a work without pay....you think a volunteer them be ..............y ou better tap you trupit niss
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a wa ya

Minister Williams: Qualifications please?

#10 Curious » 2013-03-13 09:25

Question: does anyone know how many, if any, CXC subjects the Acting Miniters of Education Winston Williams has?

This is one Minister that should be seen and not heard...
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Curious

He who feels knows it

#9 Firebug » 2013-03-13 09:24

As an educator myself, I must state for the record that teachers throughout the country are engaged in anguished thought right now, not only over our obvious financial woes, but the repercussions of a loss of contact time. Contrary to the opinion of many, there is nothing enjoyable about this limbo.
It still falls to us, when salaries are finally paid, to make up instruction and learning targets within the specified time which remains unchanged. And I should add, our pay remains pitiful compared to both our qualifications and the amount of time we put in to mold students' development.
On behalf of fellow teachers, I sincerely thank those of the public who support our cause. We cannot continued to be regarded as the perpetual oversight, and yet be categorized in the State economy as 'Essential Services'. Fair is fair!
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Firebug

RE: Williams Responds to Teachers Industrial Action

#8 ANTIGUAN WOMAN » 2013-03-13 09:02

Is this our new Education Minister? What a Govt.
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ANTIGUAN WOMAN

Duffer!

#7 Bachra Mary » 2013-03-13 08:33

Ever since the passing of the "17/6" Bill, all will fall down! Just check the record and see how all is going against them since the passage of that Bill!

Especially the "17/6 ers" themselves!
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Bachra Mary

"The Man in the Mirror"

#6 Observer » 2013-03-13 08:13

Couldn't the alleged "fence money" pay the teachers' salaries?
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Observer

Chups!

#5 Meigo Man » 2013-03-13 07:32

Why you don't go put on a dress and go teach? Oh...I forgot...you intend to go back to school too!
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Meigo Man

RE: Williams Responds to Teachers Industrial Action

#4 zzzzz » 2013-03-13 07:10

this unethical dxxxr as education minister? everything stinks in upp
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zzzzz

RE: Williams Responds to Teachers Industrial Action

#3 ECHO » 2013-03-13 07:03

Congratulations to the teacher. Don't bother with those hypocrites in the Ministry of Education. When it is all said and done, they can go teach the children. I hope that your stance would be an ongoing one. IF YOU NA GET PAY, YOU JUST SIT DOWN UNTIL YOU GET WHAT IS OWED TO YOU. Simple as that.
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ECHO

wholesome behaviour at all times

#2 skyewill » 2013-03-13 04:22

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH FENCE BOY: Do not affect your future negatively by engaging in destructive activities today. It is not worth it” he said. How much did x get out of the fince SCANDAL? was it worth it? RELEASE THE LIST OF THOSE WHO ROBBED THE COUNTRY AND SHOW SOME CHARACTER OF DECENCY. “YOU CAN’T PUT STUDENTS FIRST IF YOU PUT TEACHERS LAST.” AND YOU HAVE NO MORAL AUTHORITY IF YOU ALLOW THE PILLIGING OF OUR TREASURY. go sid dung!!!
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skyewill

RE: Williams Responds to Teachers Industrial Action

#1 not again » 2013-03-13 03:51

Please be mindful that the teachers were not the benefactors to monies disbursed for fences.
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not again

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