• White Paper on Education Reform 1995
• Curriculum Reform 2000
• EEC Case Studies of Best Practices (2003)
• EEC Evaluation of the NetSchools (laptop) project re: the use of ICT by school administration (2003-2005)
• IDB External Mid-Term Project Evaluation, by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
• IDB Evaluation of Educational Impact, by Professor Maureen Pirog and Sharon Kioko, Indiana University (2006)
• Survey of Teacher Use of Technologies,Ministry of Education, Barbados (2006)
• Report of the National Advisory Committee on Education (2010)
• Green Paper on Persons with Disabilities
• IDB evaluation of educational impact

• all students acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes which will lay the basic foundation for future jobs and careers, and
• high levels of literacy, numeracy and oracy are obtained by building on the primary foundation - reading, writing and problem solving skills, raising them even higher, and deepening levels of understanding across a variety of subject areas"

Statements such as the above have been copied onto the [Ministry's] website from a pre-independence document! No wonder 'Bush Tea' felt obliged to respond in a blog (posted on July 10):

1. clarify certain aspects of the relationship between CXC and the Christ Church Foundation School in the context of ungraded 2011 CSEC Geography scripts and
2. discuss in general terms what must be done to ensure that no student is disadvantaged in the future as a result of human error or any deficiency in the system; therefore
   

1. the proposals it should submit to CXC for compensation for the various services rendered to CXC, including those associated with School Based Assessment/Internal Assessment; and
2. on any other matter which would facilitate any aspect of the examination process; and
   

The CXC Situation:

1. The Head of Department — and teacher of almost 30 years — through extenuating circumstances forgot to send a sample of 5 School-based assessments from the over 50 done by the students taking Geography at the CSEC level in May/June 2011 examinations.



2. The teacher has admitted to and taken full responsibility for that error on her part and has suffered greatly as a result of that unfortunate circumstance … The Union’s role in this matter is to ensure that the students do not suffer and to reduce the possibility of a recurrence of such an event.



3. To this extent, we wrote the Registrar four separate letters, sent emails and tried on more than one occasion to contact him by telephone to provide information on the matter that we felt he would not have had knowledge about and therefore persuade him meet with us to address the situation. (Letters dated 3rd October, 17th October, 30th October and 24th November, 2011). Our dissatisfaction with the Registrar’s response and behavior is based on the following:
   
   

   The Registrar's Failure to meet the Union. This is totally inexcusable and thus unacceptable — on more than one level: The Registrar was given ample opportunity over the last 2 months to satisfy this fundamental obligation in any professional relationship. As a registered and legitimate 65 year-old Trade Union in Barbados (a country that boasts a Social Partnership which serves as a global model), the Registrar of CXC cannot be refusing to meet with us. The Registrar is acting contrary to what has always existed. BSTU has had a productive working relationship with CXC since its inception, particularly with previous Registrars, something stated by them in correspondence as being greatly appreciated because of a recognition that teachers are integral to the entire process. Dr Jules seems to have forgotten the contribution of teachers to the manner in which CXC has developed, or to be ignoring the need for their continued collaboration to the existence and success of the CXC. Dr Jules has made no attempt in his limited responses to counter any of the Union's arguments or to dispute the points put before him. He has sought instead to claim that a meeting would establish a communications precedent … Truly, something that these unprecedented circumstances require. Our Formal request for review is an issue that affects all students in the Caribbean — The experience at the Foundation School with the Geography SBA random sample has exposed serious flaws in the implementation of CXC's administrative procedures, particularly in the method of communicating critical information to schools. These deficiencies can affect all schools in the Caribbean and therefore need to be remedied. Failure to meet the BSTU is in effect a denial by the Registrar of an opportunity to correct weaknesses in a system over which he presides. A recognition of a Fundamental issue at stake — Students should not be penalized by being "ungraded" in any examination where it can be demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that they did absolutely nothing wrong, but instead were the victims of human error and deficiencies in the implementation of the administrative system by the examining body. CXC's administrative procedures were not implemented uniformly — CXC has regulations which govern the examination, but these are buttressed by administrative directives, including measures to ensure that the appropriate reminders are sent to schools. The BSTU is satisfied that, in this particular case where the Foundation School students were discriminated against – albeit not intentionally – by a failure on the part of the CXC administration to implement those reminders uniformly and therefore to ensure that the Foundation School was included. (NOTE: The Geography Head Of Department at the Foundation School had not seen the Circular of 21st February, 2011, until after the exam results were out; furthermore, the Union is satisfied that certain documents that were supposed to reach the school did not in fact do so.) That there is no threat to the integrity of examination — CXC was in possession of all of the marks, including the SBA marks, in good time and although the random sample of the Geography SBA scripts was received outside the deadline, CXC could still have examined those scripts without affecting the integrity of the examination in any way. It needs to be recognised that in the CXC examinations not all schools provide random samples of SBAs in every subject every year. Given that fact, it is not consistently necessary to have the sample corrected to assign a grade to students. In an article dated 30th August, 2011, in the Barbados Today online newspaper, the CXC Public Information Officer gives the impression that the CXC bends over backwards to assist schools, that it has a fallback position to deal with problems of this sort … In fact, contrary to what Mr. Sam says about writing letters to schools, calling them and sending them reminders up until the time of marking and beyond, the Foundation School and its students have not benefitted from any of this. The only time that the school was aware that a problem existed was after the results came back. We are asking the Registrar to meet with us, provide us with documentation to the contrary and prove us wrong. We are asking the registrar to demonstrate to us that, like Mr. Sam said, "the CXC does not like to see children fail for any reason". We acknowledge that an unfortunate error occurred, but there is no need for the situation to be compounded. There are too many "loose ends" regarding the entire matter. The students cannot be made to suffer any longer for something outside of their control and over something in which they have fulfilled all that was required of them: to follow a course of study and fulfill the requirements for success by completing their SBA's and relevant exams. Involvement of the Ministry of Education — The Ministry of Education acts as the local registrar for CXC. The BSTU has invited the Permanent Secretary to use his good office to assist in a resolution. Up to the time of writing, the Union has not been informed as to whether the Ministry has done anything to correct the wrong suffered by the students at the Foundation School.

The Alexandra School Impasse:

Extracts from the homage paid by BSTU president, Sis. Mary Redman, on the occasion of the presentation of the Union's Lifetime Achievement Award to Patrick Frost:

"Tonight I have the very difficult task of paying tribute to Mr. Patrick Frost and the work that he has done for our BSTU over the last 4 decades.

Yes, it is a difficult task because how do you say "Thank you" to Patrick Frost? Verily, it is not possible to express in full our gratitude that brings us here tonight, either as members of our Union, or as members of the wider teaching fraternity, or as persons involved in Education or Industrial relations at any level.

There are no encomiums that can do justice to the quality and quantity of work that this gentleman has done in his 37 years of association with this Union, the last 26 of which he spent as General-Secretary of the BSTU. His service at that level -- and later at the level of CTUSAB -- has been of immeasurable benefit not only to those associated with education in Barbados, but to the wider society as well.

If we had to use a phrase to describe his personal and Industrial Relations operational style during this time frame, then it would be one that he himself often used to explain the position of the Union when addressing many of the issues that confronted us … for Patrick, it was always important to take and hold “the moral high ground”. This phrase epitomises his approach and philosophy to all that he does and placed him beyond reproach in all his dealings. Such strength of character, coupled with an intellect matched by few in this country, has distinguished him as a Trade Unionist par excellence.

Clarity, profundity, impartiality, alacrity, a rapier wit, a brilliant strategist... these are just some of the descriptive terms that come to mind when one thinks of the intellect that is Patrick Frost.

I have heard expressions of admiration from persons of all walks of life regarding this gentleman's brain power, competence and incisiveness of language... from the late Prime Minister Tom Adams who said of him: “Bright fellow, like to meet him around a negotiation table”, then there's our present Prime Minister who described him as “extremely competent and one of the good things coming out of St. John” and let's not forget the current Minister of Labour's observation that Patrick is one of the few people that he knows who can read and understand the law for fun when many qualified in the area can’t do it for survival.

But I state the obvious, one only has to hear him speak for a short while to recognise and appreciate Patrick's extraordinary gifts and talents. I remember being in the crowds during the sensitisation mass-meetings that preceded the 1991 country–wide strike, hearing people commenting on his eloquence … two comments in particular remain in my mind … there was one man who had been quite boisterous all along, saying to his partners: "Wunna hush now Patrick Frost beginning to talk... At another meeting, which turned out to be the largest public, peaceful demonstration ever in this country, I heard the comment “Yuh see dat white man dey, I too LOVE to hear he talk!" ...and talk Mr. Frost certainly did, exhorting those gathered to commit themselves to the cause.

Patrick made full use of these personal talents to bring the BSTU from the position of being an organisation with such meagre documentation that he found himself “inheriting three cardboard boxes which contained all the Union’s files and the few cockroaches that went with them” to leaving it as institution with a new Constitution (drafted by himself) and a Union recognised as competent, effective, respected and the envy of some organisations much larger than ourselves. We owe it, as a tribute to him, and to the others who have worked with him, to support and sustain what they have fought so hard to create and establish.

Patrick’s worth and selfless labour in the Trade Union movement was a constant. Under his direction teachers, to quote Bernadine Payne “felt safe with Patrick there.” They felt secure, protected in the knowledge that he there to champion their cause. He was at the forefront of negotiating many issues with government from which teachers and Education policy and practice alike have benefited. They are too numerous to list but some of which he might be most proud include:

• Persuading Government to negotiate comparable salary scales for secondary schools commensurate with those at the then recently established B’dos Community College. The Government accepted the principle of payment according to qualifications after he led one of the most successful strikes in our history up until recent time, namely the 19-day strike of 1st to 19th May, 1969.
• Negotiating the principle of a Memorandum of Understanding that secured the rights of those teachers employed by Governing Bodies prior to 1981.
• Winning of cases before the Severance Payments Tribunal for two Lodge School teachers who lost their jobs as Assistant House masters and another teacher who was made redundant from the Learning Centre

But Patrick’s measure of success came from daring and fearlessness as well as a desire to champion the cause of his constituents. He was unafraid to challenge anyone, at any level, in the pursuit of right. He coupled this with extensive preparation and strategic thought and depended heavily on the input from his supportive and selfless wife. In preparing a case for his members he read, spoke with and garnered information from every available source, he countered every counter-argument in his mind until satisfied that he was well–prepared “to do battle” and win for his members.

...allow me to digress here for a moment and to thank Margot, Patrick’s wife for sharing her husband with the BSTU for the last 37 years … We are cognisant of and acknowledge your generosity and we thank you profoundly for it. You have been supportive of the BSTU generally, working hard as a member yourself, willingly offering advice and counsel both to Patrick on our behalf, and to any of us with whom you came into contact. You have always been gracious when perhaps you had the right to be peeved at the numerous intrusions into your family life that would have occurred over the years …and many of us have been lucky to share the warm hospitality of your home. Truly, next to every great man there is indeed a great woman.

In 1995 Patrick was elected as the first General Secretary of CTUSAB and served in that capacity until 2000 when he was elected as the first Vice President. As an officer of this organisation, he was involved in the drafting of the various Protocols, particularly Protocols 3, 4 and 5. and his work at the level of CTUSAB brought further national recognition and respect of the excellent resources within the BSTU. Until this day he has served on the Subcommittee of the Social Partners from its inception in 1995.

Tonight, you might have noticed that I have switched tenses in speaking of Patrick, alternating between the past and the present .. and that is simply because, though retired in theory, Patrick continues to function in practice … that level of skill, intellect, institutional knowledge and memory can never be dismissed or left to lie idle … and that he continues to give of his time willingly and competently, after “retirement”, bespeaks the measure of the man.

Patrick was and still remains the Heart and Soul of the BSTU we thank him for his sacrifice of time, self, family. We thank him for the proud, respected status and legacy that he has left us as a Union; we thank him for the sense of safety and support that he continues to provide.

His invaluable contribution and commitment to Industrial Relations in Barbados was recognised with his award of the Silver Crown of Merit in The Independence Honours of 1998. The BSTU intends to “go for the GOLD” in relation to you Patrick and we will not stop until we achieve that."

The BSTU hosted another successful Teachers’ Professional Day on October 19^th, 2007. There were over 80 participants in attendance and this year a special effort was made to have the active input of our retired members who were issued a special invitation to attend the event. They all reported their appreciation for being invited and participated actively in the day’s proceedings. The topics this year were:

1. A Brief History of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union and its Contribution to the Development of Education and the Teaching Profession in Barbados

This session was meant to sensitise and educate members about the many and varied contributions of our illustrious Union to improve educational policy and practice and to enhance the status of teachers in Barbados. Panelists were Mrs. Grace Thompson, Mr. Phil Perry and Mr. Patrick Frost

2. The Rights and Responsibilities of Teachers

Participants in this session focussed on the responsibilities of teachers in their work environments while also taking cognizance of their rights as outlined both in the Law and through custom and practice. The panelists on this occasion were Mr. Elsworth Young and Mr. Patrick Frost. We are especially indebted to Mr. Young who we consider to be an honorary member of our Union because of his willingness to always come and give us the benefit of his time, knowledge and opinions.

The Safety and Health Act (SHAW, 2005) and its Implications for the School Environment

All of the topics addressed generated much discussion and the general consensus was that the day was a highly informative and valuable one and suggestions were made by some that the Union needed to approach the Ministry of Education for more than one opportunity per year for addressing professional issues like these which affect teachers at the macro-level. The atmosphere of camaraderie was at its usual high level but the presence of our retired members added a special element to the total ambience of the day’s proceedings. We look forward to an even bigger event next year!

The Teachers' Professional Day (TPD) activity was the BSTU's main focus during Education Month. The Union held a seminar at Solidarity House on 20th November, 2006 for all interested members and records that over 60 persons were in attendance. The organising committee, in an attempt to address professional issues affecting teachers on a macro level, chose topics for the seminar which included:

• GATS and the Commercialisation of Education
• CSME and the Implications for the Free Movement of Teachers in the region
• Remuneration of teachers for the marking of CXC School-Based Assessments (SBAs)
• The Establishment of a Teaching Service Commission

The panelists for these sessions were Hon. Rawle Eastmond M.P., Minister of Labour and the Civil Service, Mr. Patrick Frost, Mrs. Marguerite Cummins-Williams and officials from the Caribbean Examinations Council. The sessions were extremely interactive, generating much interest and discussion.

To briefly summarise the pertinent points of the discussions:

• In relation to the GATS it was felt that Caribbean governments should resist all foreign pressure to "commodify" education - since education was not seen as a commodity to be traded. It was widely held that education was a service and right to be granted by regional goverments to its peoples. Further, participants felt that government officials sent overseas to negotiate should be well-trained so that "mistakes" like those made by Jamaican officials do not recur in the region with the accompanying dire consequnces for our education budgets.

• As discusson surrounded CSME and the Free Movement of Teachers it was felt that while there was great potential for teachers on the one hand there were many obstacles to be overcome before this potential could be realised in a meaningful way. Some of these obstacles that need to be addressed included:
  1. the need for a harmonised teacher training policy and practice
  2. recognition and accreditation across the region of teacher training qualifications
  3. portability of qualifications
  4. portability of benefits
  5. harmonised educational requirements for entry into the profession and so on.

• With respect to the Remuneration of Teachers for the preparation and marking of CXC SBAs, please see the attached document that was prepared by a Committee of the Caribbean Union of Teachers on which the President sat. She presented the paper at the TPD seminar.

• The question of the necessity for the establishment of a Teaching Service Commission was clearly agreed on by all. There was the general recognition that eventhough teachers are officially Public Servants they do not always operate under the same terms and conditions of service as other Public Servants. Further, it was accepted that there were many specific and peculiar needs which teachers had simpy because of the nature and type of work which they performed; there were also certain demands made on them too as a result of this. It was felt that there was a definite need for a TSC to, among other things, regulate: recruitment, selection, entry into teaching, retention, promotional oportunities and exit from the profession. It was discussed too that if teachers were to seriously consider establishing a move towards the professionalisation of teaching then there was a long overdue need for the Commission to deal with their specific concerns. Implications were also seen for more meaningful compensation and improved conditions of service. There was also some discusssion, for and against , using the Commisson as a potential licensing body.

The general feedback throughout the day was very positive and clearly demonstrated the need for all teachers across the system to use the opportunity of a day such as this to focus on issues that affect them professionally, at the macro-level. The fact must never be forgotten that Teachers' Professional Day is a BSTU initiative, fought for by BSTU stalwarts for many years before it was granted by the then Government in 1985. It is a day that we must fight to keep as a Union day to be used in a positive way that the Union determines. Read the Union's response to the Chief Education Officer's reaction to certain events which occurred during last year's TPD here.

John Cumberbatch Memorial Lecture

The BSTU continued its support of the hosting of this annual lecture during Education Month and again partnered with the Barbados Union of Teachers and the Ministry of Education to hold the event. The theme focused on CSME and the implications for Teacher Training and Education in the Caribbean . This excellent lecture was delivered by Professor Errol Miller on 25th October, 2006 at Almond Bay Conference Centre and he held the very large audience captivated for the entirety of the presentation. Brief remarks were made by the Hon. Cynthia Forde, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and the President of the Barbados Union of Teachers. The vote of thanks was delivered by the President of the BSTU. See the link below for the full text of Professor Miller's speech.

During 2006 the Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union began the formal recognition and celebration of its 60th anniversary, a celebration that is projected to continue into 2007. Two events were planned. These were, a Church Service which was held at the St. Cyprians Anglican Church followed by a breakfast at Headquarters, and a Friday Night Lime.

The Church service was held on 19th November, 2006 and conducted by Cannon Burke who preached a rousing sermon well suited to the occasion since so much of the content of that sermon was not only directed to the activities of the Union in general but bore especial significance to the events surrounding the "Alexandra Impasse" which were at that time unfolding.

The President also addressed the congregation providing a brief history of the Union and outlining its major achievements and contributions to Education in Barbados during the last 60 years. She also grasped the opportunity to rally persons to the cause as it related to the on-going issue at the Alexandra School.

The service was quite well attended by the members of the Union who were gracioulsy joined by Cannon Burke and his family and some members of the congregation of St. Cyprians' in a light breakfast at the headquarters of the Union.