BUT concern after minister intervenes in disciplinary matter
The Bermuda Union of Teachers has expressed “serious concerns” about the conduct of the Minister of Education in a reported student disciplinary matter that resulted in a PE teacher being placed on administrative leave.
The Royal Gazette understands that teachers at Port Royal Primary School are considering taking industrial action after Crystal Caesar, the education minister, intervened when teachers prohibited a male pupil from participating in an interschool sports event last week.
According to a source, the teachers claim that Ms Caesar breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct.
The Ministry of Education has insisted that the minister did not act outside of her authority or in breach of the code and confirmed that the issue is being addressed through “the appropriate internal processes”.
The Primary School Track and Field Championships took place at the Flora Duffy Stadium across two days.
It is understood that matters came to a head last Monday and resulted in an impromptu meeting being held at the stadium between PE teachers and education department officials.
The talks resulted in a 15-minute delay at the start of the event, which draws participants from all primary schools.
The source said that the minister directed department personnel to intervene to make sure the boy could compete but that the teachers “took a stand”, warning that if the pupil was able to join the contest, the meeting would be “shut down”.
It was also claimed by the source that teachers were taking “systematic days off” and considering industrial action in response to their colleague being placed on leave.
A spokesman for the BUT told the Gazette: “To our knowledge, the PE teacher remains on administrative leave.
“The BUT has followed up regarding the basis for the leave and has not received a substantive response to date.
“We have serious concerns around the way this has been handled by the minister including whether proper protocol was followed.
“Our concerns have been raised at the appropriate level.
“We are in discussion with the ministry about this matter.”
The BUT has been asked whether any formal industrial action is being taken or considered over the matter but has yet to receive a response.
When asked specifically whether teachers were taking sick days, the spokesman replied: “We cannot comment on members’ personal leave that is taken in compliance with established collective bargaining agreement guidelines.”
Asked why the student was prohibited from participating, the spokesman said: “This is a school-level matter involving a minor and it would therefore be inappropriate for us to comment.”
A spokeswoman for the ministry told the Gazette: “At the outset, it is important to correct the characterisation that has been presented.
“Any suggestion that the minister acted outside of her authority or in breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct is not accurate.
“The minister’s actions in this matter were undertaken within her statutory remit under the Education Act 1996, which includes responsibility for the oversight, supervision and proper functioning of the public education system.”
The spokeswoman said that in circumstances where concerns are raised, particularly those involving student welfare, “proportionality of disciplinary measures, or the application of established policies, it is entirely appropriate for the minister to seek information, require accountability and ensure that actions taken are consistent with governing frameworks, including the code of conduct and safeguarding obligations”.
She added: “To suggest that such oversight constitutes improper interference reflects a misunderstanding of the minister’s legal responsibilities.”
The spokeswoman said that the ministry would not provide comment on issues involving identifiable students or individual members of staff including “the status of any employee, the details of any disciplinary or administrative action and the circumstances relating to any individual student”.
The spokeswoman said the matters were subject to strict confidentiality and privacy requirements, which the ministry is obligated to uphold.
She said that the relevant matters were under review, that procedures are being followed and that the ministry remains engaged with stakeholders, including representatives of staff.
“The ministry’s priority remains the safety, wellbeing and fair treatment of all students, alongside maintaining a professional, accountable and well-governed education system,” she added.
“We will provide further updates where appropriate, consistent with our legal obligations.”
The Gazette’s source shared a message that circulated via social media, which said: “We are told that a boy was told he could not run at interschool sports. His parents then met with the Department of Education who agreed with the school’s position.
“His parents were still not satisfied and called Crystal Caesar. We have been told she directed DoE personnel to intervene which caused a delay to Monday’s qualifiers for primary track and field.
“One PE teacher was placed on administrative leave by the department due to upholding the request of the school.
“All PE teachers then took a stance in solidarity and said the boy will not run or else the meet will be shut down.
“Kalmar Richards [the Commissioner of Education] then threatened to write all PE teachers up if he did not run.”
Others were named for having “overstepped”.
The source said: “The teachers held firm and the boy did not run.”
• On occasion The Royal Gazette may decide to not allow comments on a story that we deem may inflame sensitivities. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers
