The Ministry of Education, and, by extension the Government of Grenada, said to be extremely concerned about the decision of the Grenada Union of Teachers to ask members to call in sick yesterday, leaving many students in a number of schools un-supervised.
It noted that the students were at risk.
The Ministry of Education, in a release, noted that it previously raised this concern for students’ safety with the leadership of the union and in that regard, a request was made for parents to be given notification by teachers, of planned industrial action which would affect the supervision of students, so that alternative arrangements can be made to support children where necessary.
REPORT:
The union, it’s understood, according to the release, contended that by giving notice, they’ll lose the ‘element of surprise’ and has therefore advised teachers not to share their plans to be away from the classroom with parents or students.
The Ministry of Education, however, believes the risk involved is too high, under the circumstances.
Parents are said to have expressed the view that where there’s the case of no emergency, they’ll prefer to have an opportunity to protect their children and the Ministry appeals to the Union urges to carefully consider the parent’s request.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education has issued a reminder to teachers with due reference to the Labour laws of Grenada which provides guidance on leave, highlighting while a person can take paid leave from work for up to two days without a medical certificate, an employer shall not be responsible to pay an employee who has not worked, having regard to what the law permits.
Further, Section 71 (3) of the Employment Act,1999 states that an employer shall not be responsible to pay an employee for more than five occasions during a one-year period that he/she does not provide a medical certificate.
The Ministry of Education noted the Government’s position on the 4% salary increase for public officers and its commitment to pay as it did in 2020, but the current economic situation, brought about by a significant reduction in revenue earnings, it’s is unable to make the 2021 payment at this time.
