Students Must Come First: A Call for Responsibility Amidst Industrial Action
As a teacher who has devoted years to the noble profession of educating our nation’s youth, I write not out of contempt for my colleagues, but out of deep concern for the path we have recently chosen. While I respect the right of workers to demand better conditions, monies owed, and special allowances, I cannot support the recent industrial action taken by my fellow educators. At this critical time—on the eve of regional CXC examinations—our students must come first.
I began my journey as a teacher several years before and completed my “Teacher Training” between 2008 and 2010, under the then-United Progressive Party (UPP) administration. Despite undergoing teacher training during a time of global recession and national economic strain, I remained committed to my students, even when my own upgrade was delayed. The then-union president told me that we had to wait because the government was strapped for cash. I showed patience and professionalism, even though I was not a UPP supporter but a proud supporter of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP). My loyalty, however, has always been to education and to the young minds entrusted to us. Some teachers today are too political, and loyalty to their party frequently precedes professionalism and commitment to the profession.
Today, under an ABLP government that has extended tangible benefits to teachers, I find it difficult to justify this strike. The facts speak clearly: the government has already begun payments to teachers due for their allowances. Only six teachers remain with discrepancies—a number that hardly justifies the disruption of the entire education system. This action, taken by a freshly elected union executive, seems less about principle and more about flexing political muscle in the wake of their internal victory. Leadership must be rooted in responsibility, not opportunism.
To add to that, this government has demonstrated a sustained and friendly posture toward teachers. Not only did it provide an extra salary to augment delayed payments, but it also granted a 9% salary increase in 2024, opened up avenues for teachers to own homes valued at $600,000 for half the cost, and offered land and housing concessions aimed at improving the quality of life for educators. Additionally, the dedicated insurance benefit for teachers through the State Insurance Corporation is a progressive step that must be recognized.
These are not the actions of a government antagonistic to educators. In fact, they reflect an administration that values and supports the teaching profession. While the recent remarks made by the Prime Minister were frank, we must separate direct language from policy. One frank comment should not erase a history of commitment to teachers’ welfare.
Furthermore, some union supporters have leaned on false or skewed narratives—such as the claim that the government irresponsibly funded the Alfa Nero’s maintenance—ignoring the fact that all such expenses were covered by the sale of the vessel. These kinds of misleading arguments do a disservice to our cause and damage public trust.
Let us be honest: we are not without grievance. But grievances must be weighed against timing and consequence. At this moment, with students preparing for their final assessments, to strike is not just premature—it is reckless. Our students need us now more than ever, seeking clarification and reassurance before their exams. When we walk off the job, we do not hurt the ministry; we hurt our children.
I implore Mr. Casroy Charles and the entire union executive to reflect. Leadership demands not just boldness, but wisdom and restraint. The battlefield must be entered only when all diplomatic doors are closed—and with the right tools, the right facts, and above all, the right cause.
As for me, I stand not with disruption, but with dedication. I stand for our students. Let us resolve our concerns in a manner that honors our profession, respects our responsibilities, and most importantly, prioritizes the success of our children.
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You need to stop using ChatGpt to write your letter and sit down and hush
Your appeal should be to the delinquent government, NOT the union of teachers. You got it backwards. 2018 to the present is not a moment in time; it is helluva a long time for the goverment to honour its pledges. The students dilema falls squarely in the lap of the government. They are the ones who are uncaring … not the union of teachers. None are so blind as they who refuse to see.
Hard disagree. Many times the same minister that brags about being rich and millionaire, not only he can’t pay a couple of teachers but when they had to maintain the ship before they sold it, wrote the legislation to take it and had a public auction they had the money to maintain it. When Gaston and his family have a court case, he isn’t using his money the public funds it? where did that money comes from?
Give me break about Students comes first, that’s a deflection from the issue from the guy that says Antigua has no money problem yet seems to owe everyone and their dog money.
When landlords put them out of their building did you bawl that Country comes first? Or did you demand them to pay their money? What is this double standard that is being shown now?
During the global recession was a couple different case and not comparable to now, even before COVID people had issues getting paid. So how long are they suppose to just suffer about not getting paid? you want them to wait 3years? is that when they allowed to strike? want them to wait 5? students still are needed to teach. Should they be allowed to fight in 10years?
When you fight against union action you are fighting against your own interest, because one day it could be you. If you haven’t been payed for 1 year but all your workers are getting paid you think they will care if you just stop coming to work? They will fire you. This is why unions exist to standup for marginalized workers as a collective it’s all for one. I want to see how many months will you just take not getting paid how long will it be students first when dept is catching up?
To the author of this article, I have but one question.
After years of lies, empty and broken promises, threats of unemployment, when do you suggest they decide enough is enough and take a meaningful stance and serious actions for their dues?
I want to say this is one of the most ignorant things I read, blaming teachers, instead of politicians, for the horrible situations teachers and students are in because of politicians.
This is not a teacher wrote this. Highly incompetent politician wrote this.
I didn’t have to read far for confirmation of my suspicions that you are a laboRAT.
Were you ever part of any industrial action during your teaching years?
Without knowing you I will say it is during the 1971 to 1976 or 2004 to 2014 period.
Why do you laborats believe that you can use your political affiliation amd allegiance to lay guilt trip on people who have ligitimate reason to take action?
Industrial action is meant to achieve a goal.
It must be calculated to hit below the belt and bring pain and discomfort on those you are protesting against.
Protesting outside a supermarket at midnight when it has closed since 10.00 pm is a waste of the human brain.
It is pointless to take industrial actions when it will not inconvenience and yield results.
So as a proud laboRAT why didn’t you call on your leadership to meet the teachers request/needs/demands before it got to the point of industrial action?
It is people like you who in he past life ensured that slavery lasted for so long.
To the laboRAT parents who have children in school I beg you not to be mad with the teachers.
Instead turn your wrath on your government which has impoverished the country to the point that it cannot meet its financial obligations to most civil servants.
If you love your school child you will pull the ears of your labour parliamentarians and ask them to lead the country right.
Did you, the writer, chastise the cabinet when they gave themselves a 14 percent raise, made it retroactive to 2019 and collected all associated backpay in one swipe of the pen?
Well don’t come and blame teachers.
You are like a cow which gave a bucket of milk and kick it down.
The teachers have used the most appropriate time for their actions and it is yielding results.
The time is come for all the other unions to know the sensitive part of government and apply a little pressure there to get the desired results..
there is always some inconvenience when workers rightfully go on strike. If we waited until nobody was inconvenienced we would never go on strike and never make any progress, which is really what these people claiming to care about students want. If the government is really concerned about students, pay the teachers fairly and do it promptly so they can go back to work. PM use some of your alfa nero funds
To the author of this article…. you are one of the reasons we are suffering cause for many years you stayed silent and take and take and take and take… till the end of time… but because you done get you money you nah K… whether UPP or ALP stand up for what’s yours… the Teacher right 100%… why the PM and the minister he put in charge nah mek sure the wellbeing of the children of the nation needs a met as they should… that’s why they were elected by the people…
Police, Nurses,All public servants, established and non-established, Customs and Immigration should all down tool til they get what’s they done work for rightfully…. PARTY COLOURS NAH PAY BILL AND PUT FOOD PAN TABLE!!!!
This sounds like an ALP minister writing with plenty help from CHATGPT. Plenty of hogwash! We are not a generation of teachers who will go silently into the night…when we see that amount of wastage and complete disrespect that the government continues to treat us with, we have no choice but to take up the given rights which are afforded us by the Father of the Nation through the trade Union movement. The government is very adept at the bread and circus game. All the monies which are spent on entertainment and ham and turkey would be best spent on the teachers! Look how quickly they found the money!!!!!!! It’s pure wickedness on their part that has caused the union to reach the state that it has! Writer of the article, go sit somewhere!
Which students? To the good author of this article you forget that many teachers have children in these same public schools, some of whom are cute tly sitting cxc and about to write common entrance so think about that when you go on your rant about teachers. Also, when would you suggest is a good time for these actions to take place and how long a time period should they wait before action is taken? Sighhhhhh. You people tire me.
Another heartless Jackass talking..oh my.
Yes I said it.
Is people like this writer why black people stayed in slavery so damn long. U writer are a traitor to humanity and every working class. You should be ashamed of yourself. U are week and docile, and if you are a woman, I am sure you are being abuse by your spouse and you will take the abuse until the day you die. Everything you wrote screen politics and stupidity. Don’t project your docile type of behavior on anyone else. Please take a sit down at the back of the class.
When on strikes it is like holding a gun or a knife at the other person’s head or throat. And that to me is terrorism. When you are negotiating and their is no movement in the negotiations then and only then you have the right to bring out the gun and the knive. But not when things are progressing. It shows your lack of sincerity of being an honest broker. A good faith negotiator. The Teachers Union is not acting in Good Faith. They just want to justify their actions, which anyone can see are politically motiviated to say the least. But God doesn’t sleep. Remember who it is they are hurting. Our children. And God will not stand for that.
Matthew 18:6
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.