The Ministry of Education is in the process of addressing concerns put forth by the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), according to Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd yesterday. 

Mr. Lloyd said that the teachers play an important role in their system, which simply would not work without them. 

The minister added that his ministry is minded to make sure that it’s teachers are in a safe, productive, and enhanced learning environment.

“I don’t think we need to repeat that there is a challenge with resources. We don’t have the capacity, financial that is, at this time to provide for the repairs that we need in all of the schools,” he said. 

He added, “be that as it may, we’re doing the best we can with what we have, and we’re more than happy to do whatever is necessary in order to bring resolution to the outstanding union and labour issues.”

At this moment, he said, the CH Reeves issues occupies every waking moment of himself and his team. 

However, he added that a lot of which has been brought to his attention has been resolved. 

“There were issues raised by the teachers with respect to mold, and we bought in the public analyst. The mold which was identified proved to be of no challenge, difficulty, or threat to the safety of the teachers.”, he said. 

“They were obviously not satisfied. They wanted an independent assessor to come in and do further assessing. As far as we’re concerned, the public analyst is an independent assessor. He neither takes the side of the ministry or any other government department, or a third party like the union,”  said the Minister.

However, in good faith, he said, the ministry had an independent assessor come in and the results were expected to be in their hands this past Friday. 

He said when they do receive the results; they will further investigate the matter. 

At this point, while the minister maintained that he is satisfied with the environment at CH Reeves; what he is not satisfied with the pace of resolving such challenges. 

He said, “Please understand I come out of the private sector. When Wendall Jones gives a command that certain matters be addressed, those matters are addressed expeditiously. That’s the ethics that I have been trained and operated under for many years.” 

He added, “that’s not the way the government works. In fact, it takes much longer. It’s not only dissatisfying to me, but it its dissatisfying to a host of individuals. That is why we are cast at 122 or whatever the number for the ease of doing business.”

Mr. Lloyd said the people of The Bahamas deserve a certain level of responsiveness that’s simply not available at this time.

Mr. Lloyd was appearing as a guest on the Love 97 Radio  Programme  Jones and Company.