30 teaching posts to be axed in bid by government to cut costs

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1: Thirty teaching assistants will be made redundant at the end of the school year as part of government cost cutting measures.

The decision, which could save $1.35 million for the 2011-12 school year, was announced by Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith last night.

The Bermuda Union of Teachers described the move as “disappointing”.

But union boss Mike Charles told the Bermuda Sun he was hopeful that some of the teaching assistants affected would be re-employed at the start of the new school year.

He said: “Sometimes we have to understand the position managers are in especially at a time like this when budgets are being crunched.

“They were left with no choice but to try and save money in order to fulfill their agreement.

“However some of these people might still have jobs once they have decided what the needs are in the system.”

Mr. Charles said he expected the cuts to affect schools across the board.

But he warned that the move would put extra pressure on teachers who were already dealing with social problems and issues they are not trained for.

He said: “In the past people were simply told at the end of term or during the summer holidays they would not have a job at the beginning of the next year.

Stress on teachers

“There is nothing easy about this but it is better finding out now than waiting until the end of July or August that you don’t have a job.

“We have to take heart in the fact that some of these people must be re-employed.

“What is certain is that this will put even more stress on teachers who have to deal with situations and problems they are not trained for.

“I do not know what schools will be affected by this but am sure it will be primary, middle and secondary.

“It’s not a nice picture. We try to ameliorate it but it does not look good. In the long run it affects the quality of education.”

Yesterday Dame Jennifer released a press statement saying there was a  “paraprofessional surplus”.

She added: “We see a number of areas where improvements can be made. And a manning review suggests we have a paraprofessional surplus to some of our requirements.  Therefore, just as I signalled during the Education Budget Debate, personnel levels will be affected.

“All paraprofessionals and educational therapist assistants assigned to public schools with one-year contracts are being notified that their contracts will not be renewed for September 2011.

“This decision affects those persons whose role is to assist teachers or provide support to persons who have special needs.

“The total number of persons affected is thirty out of a total of one hundred and fifty paraprofessionals and educational therapist assistants.”

Dame Jennifer also outlined plans to set out a “clear qualifying standard” for teaching assistants.

She said: “I think the public will agree that while paraprofessionals provide a much needed service, there is also room for improvement.

“To that end, we plan to establish a clear qualifying standard for paraprofessionals, while also instituting a programme for those who wish to upgrade their skills. I think we can all agree that those who can do so, must.”