Education officials have met the teachers union to discuss a list of concerns it raised including delayed or non-payment of substitute teacher wages, teacher shortages and lack of wi-fi in some schools.

The Department of Education said it has offered to hold further meetings with the Bermuda Union of Teachers to address the issues it raised in a statement last week.

In that statement, Dante Cooper, the union’s general secretary, reiterated calls for an overhaul of the leadership in the Department of Education.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said on Friday: "We are reviewing the latest statement sent to the media by the BUT which makes a number of broad claims.

“The Department of Education leadership will seek a full understanding of the details of these claims at a scheduled meeting with the BUT leadership and subsequent meetings if necessary.

"We can confirm that the approximately 120 substitutes are scheduled to receive their first payments in the first week of October and weekly thereafter, as per the Accountant General's payroll guidelines.

“Substitutes were informed of this by telephone and at the orientation for substitutes on September 7. The department is aware that some substitutes may not have received this communication.

"It should be noted that the department and BUT leaderships meet on a regular basis. We remain committed to resolving any concerns around the table in a collaborative manner.

“Ministry and department leaders will engage with the BUT with a view to having productive direct talks and shall update the public in due course.”

The BUT claims that teacher shortages have led to staff working “flat out” to cover classes beyond what is agreed in their collective bargaining agreements, and complained of a lack of wi-fi in schools that could hinder student study.

Just before the start of the academic year, the union issued a separate statement decrying a lack of school readiness by the department.

Susan Jackson, the OBA’s spokeswoman for education in the House of Assembly, said that with the academic year barely started, the BUT had for a second time publicly voiced its concerns about the state of the leadership of the Bermuda public education system.

She said: “The Ministry of Education and education minister Diallo Rabain cannot continue to ignore the concerns of the BUT. Where is the good faith? Where is the collaboration for the success of every student in the public system?

“The time has come for all key stakeholders to meet, be frank and find resolution where everyone wins.

“Diallo Rabain cannot continue to praise teachers when he is fully aware that all is not well. It’s insulting.

“It’s time for the Ministry of Education to listen to the concerns of the BUT, and more importantly look for ways that everyone can positively move forward.

“We cannot afford to waste any more time. The students are the ones who stand to lose the most.”