A group of concerned teachers, independent of the Teachers Union, has come forward to express their deep concerns over reports that teachers have allegedly been threatened and coerced into refraining from participating in protests regarding various issues, including salary disparity.

In a statement sent to the media today, September 22 the independent group said “the issues affecting teachers are multifaceted, with one major concern being the disparity in salaries. Some teachers have chosen to leave their positions due to inadequate pay, resulting in a situation where newly recruited teachers are offered higher salaries than those who have been in the system for years, despite having similar qualifications. This wage discrepancy can create frustration and demotivation among experienced teachers who feel undervalued for their years of service.”

Last week teachers staged a sit-in protest at the Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town, Tortola, to draw attention to the long-standing issues,  including poorly ventilated classrooms, overgrown pathways, frequent electrical and water disruptions, that have been ignored within the education system.

Premier Natalio Wheatley visited the school and engaged in a dialogue with the teachers, assuring them that the government is committed to addressing the problems that have been raised. The problems were also officially reported to the Ministry of Education in a letter sent by the Teachers Union.

In the wake of the protest, concerns have emerged regarding alleged threats being made against teachers to dissuade them from participating in any future protest actions.

“There seems to be a concerning trend of intimidation towards both cabinet members and the newly hired teachers. It has been discovered that these individuals are being threatened to refrain from participating in any form of protest or expressing solidarity with the teachers. This kind of coercion can stifle freedom of expression and prevent individuals from advocating for their rights.”

The concerned teachers stressed that the issues raised during the protest not only affect the overall learning environment, but also impact the well-being and safety of both teachers and students. Yet, there has been no action from the government leading to further frustration among teachers.

“Overall, the combination of salary discrepancies, intimidation, lack of government response, delays in resource distribution, and infrastructure issues creates a challenging and demoralising situation for teachers. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure the well-being and effectiveness of the education system and to retain experienced and qualified teachers within the profession,” the statement said.

Additionally, the group has highlighted that “this lack of communication and acknowledgement from the government can further exacerbate the frustrations of the teachers and hinder the resolution of these problems. Moreover, there have been delays in the distribution of fans that were intended for the school. Despite being sent on Tuesday, the fans were not distributed until today, Friday, September 22. This delay can contribute to discomfort in the school environment, especially during hot weather conditions, and may affect both teachers and students.”

“Additionally, the new building where the teachers are working is experiencing water issues and electrical problems. These infrastructure challenges can disrupt the normal functioning of the school and create an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe environment for both teachers and students.”

The concerned teachers have urged the government to engage in open dialogue and take proactive steps to resolve these issues, as they are vital to the success of the education system and the overall development of the nation.

“Overall, the combination of salary discrepancies, intimidation, lack of government response, delays in resource distribution, and infrastructure issues creates a challenging and demoralising situation for teachers. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure the well-being and effectiveness of the education system and to retain experienced and qualified teachers within the profession,” the statement concluded.