Published 1 May 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
By: Media Source
Allegations of political interference and favouritism in CFBC/UWI teaching programme
Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 29, 2018 – Concerns that political interference, manipulation and favouritism in the teaching programme at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) resulted in a protest by persons affected last week.
According to a report, the issue needs to be brought to light pertaining to the Teaching Practicum which began on the 9th of January this year.
An individual with knowledge of the situation said teachers involved in the programme went on teaching assignments for 8 weeks.
“There was a break for a week awaiting results from December. Results would indicate who would be eligible for the exam on practicum. Three (names of) teachers went up to the University of the West Indies (UWI) with an “A” Grade in Social Studies and on moderation came back (from UWI) with an “F” grades.
“Others failed science and math, meaning one person failed math and one person failed science. If you fail any core subject you are barred from the exam phase of practicum,” the individual disclosed.
The individual, who is not one of the persons affected by the political interference and manipulation, disclosed that the Team Unity government lecturers are trying to do something that is unprecedented.
“The three who failed Social Studies are being pushed to do the exam phase in September which has never happened in the history of teaching education. Whenever one fails they have to wait until the following year to do the practicum exam,” said the person, who noted that last year a young lady suffered burns while executing a lesson on practicum, was hospitalised and on sick leave and was barred from the practicum exam because she didn’t complete enough hours during the eight weeks development phase.
“She wrote to the UWI and was denied as the policy requires that you have 80 percent attendance,” said the individual, who further disclosed that this year, several persons did not qualify for the exam because of various reasons including failing of core subjects and not enough hours in the practicum.
“Why is it that people are going overboard to facilitate these three individuals over the others? A fail is a fail. Over the years it has always been that if a teacher fails any core subject and is barred, he or she has to wait until the following year,” said the individual.
It has also being disclosed there was a protest on Monday (April 23) by the teachers who failed,
“With this unprecedented move to allow three teachers who failed to do the practicum in the new school year come September, has to do with their political affiliation,” said the individual.
She said that the teachers have demanded to see the Minister of Education, Hon. Shawn Richards and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. William Hodge, “and have been unable to do so.”
“Imagine (your name) going up with an “A” to UWI only to have the UWI award an “F” in their final assessment. There are persons who are trying to push them in order for them to graduate in November, while others who failed are being told that they will have to wait until January,” said the individual.
“One person did not fail at all but did not have the 80 percent for the development phase and she also has to wait until next January,” said the individual, who spoke on behalf of the concerned teachers.
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