August 12, 2013 at 4:44 p.m.
Education Minister responds to teacher transfer concerns (Update)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13 UPDATE: The Minister of Education, Sen. the Hon. Nalton Brangman, JP, today expressed his thanks to his shadow counterpart Mr. Walton Brown MP for his offer of assistance as relates to teacher transfers.
The Minister noted that, “I am thankful to the Opposition Member for his offer of assistance. It is good to see that the Opposition are seeking to be supportive instead of just opposing because of the nature of our politics. Both he and I can agree that matters related to our children are above political differences.
“However, I can advise Mr. Brown and the public that the Ministry of Education is presently engaged in a process of setting out proposals to resolve the issue of teacher transfers and parental involvement in schools.
“It is our intent to engage our stakeholders - principals, teachers, PTAs and the broader community in a consultative process on the matter of parental involvement in schools shortly after school reconvenes in September. I certainly welcome Mr. Brown’s input and that of the entire community once we bring forward our proposals on the matter.”
Shadow Education Minister Walton Brown:
"The entire issue of teacher transfers needs to be resolved by the creation of a framework that has buy-in from the Ministry, teachers and parents. What we have seen on an annual basis is far too much dispute over a matter that should be fairly routine. The Ministry wishes to make teacher transfers to ensure its strategy for improved public education is carried out; some teachers seek school transfer for a wide range of reasons; and parents have views which should be acknowledged and respected when it comes to the education of their children.
In an effort to create such a framework, I have extended a hand of cooperation to Education Minister Brangman to assist in this undertaking. Every time there are issues with transfers—particularly when they spill out into the public domain—the steady improvement in public confidence in public education suffers. We need to focus our energies on our students and ensure the appropriate environment for their success is our only priority."
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