Teachers in limbo over re-licencing
The collapse of the Bermuda Educators Council in January has left teachers wondering how to be re-licenced, with their licences expiring and a new school year approaching.
Speaking anonymously, one teacher said it appears as if nothing has been done since members of the BEC, the body responsible for the licencing of teachers, resigned en-masse.
“I have submitted all my Professional Development hours, well beyond what's required, but of course after January there was no office and no acknowledgment,” the teacher said.
“If I don't receive a licence by the beginning of September, I am in fact breaking the law if I give instruction in a classroom.
“In effect, it seems to me, Government incompetence is making me a criminal.”
She said that educator licences are set to expire on August 31, leaving just over a month for the matter to be resolved.
“I believe a large number of teachers will be in the same boat,” the teacher said.
“It seems as though the private schools at least are also being left in the dark, because they don’t seem to know what is going on either.
“From my point of view, it looks like the Government has not put in place the means to deal with this.”
She said she had attempted to contact the Department of Education, but had not received any answers.
Efforts by this newspaper to contact a Ministry of Education spokeswoman yesterday about the issue were unsuccessful.
In February, BEC Exemptions Committee head Helle Patterson said the Council was to hire a new executive director and open in a new location in March.
The Royal Gazette revealed in April that members of the council had resigned en bloc amid claims of union and political interference, however the three members appointed by Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith agreed to stay in place.
Need to
Know
2. Any poster that insults, threatens or verbally abuses another member, uses defamatory language, or deliberately disrupts discussions will be banned.
3. Users who violate the Terms of Service or any commenting rules will be banned.
4. Please stay on topic. "Trolling" to incite emotional responses and disrupt conversations will be deleted.
5. To understand further what is and isn't allowed and the actions we may take, please read our Terms of Service
- Should liquor stores be able to sell alcohol on Sundays?
- Yes
- 71%
- No
- 27%
- Don't Know
- 1%
- Total Votes: 2016
- Poll Archive
Comments
You must be registered or signed-in to post comment or to vote.
Published Jul 30, 2012 at 8:31 am (Updated Jul 30, 2012 at 8:30 am)