The frosty relationship between teachers and Ministry of Education officials finally seemed to be warming up a little on Thursday as both sides joined together to mark an international event.

The Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT) organised a celebration on the steps of City Hall in Hamilton for World Teachers? Day. The event featured music, speeches and a proclamation from the new Education Minister Neletha Butterfield.

But most significant were comments made afterwards by union general secretary Mike Charles and Ministry permanent secretary Rosemary Tyrrell to about ongoing negotiations on pay and conditions.

In the past, tensions between the two have led to the threat of strikes, talks being halted and sit-downs and work-to-rules in schools.

Earlier this year, Mr. Charles claimed the Ministry showed a lack of respect towards educators. Much has changed, it seems. Ms Tyrrell, who took up her post in January, said: ?It?s amazing how we have come together. We in the Ministry and the union are very deliberate. We recognise that our focus must be the children.?

Asked if the relationship was thawing, Ms Tyrrell replied: ?I think it?s completely thawed. It?s early and yet everything we have done has been in sync. ?We have the same goals and objectives for the children. I have not found any of it (the negotiations) difficult.?

Mr. Charles said: ?I think we?ll have better dialogue now between the two of us and in the way we go forward. She (Ms Tyrrell) wants to have dialogue and I think that?s the only way to go. You have to talk to the people on the frontline.?

He added that Mrs. Butterfield ? appointed in a recent Cabinet reshuffle ? appeared to have the same approach.