Solidarity is increasing among teachers as the work-to-rule industrial action moves into its fifth day.

Mike Charles of the Bermuda Union of Teachers told last night that, despite a meeting called yesterday by the Education Ministry to talk to the teachers, no headway had been made.

?It seemed it was an information-gathering session by the Permanent Secretary (of Education Michelle Khaldun),? he said. ?They didn?t have anything to offer.

?We thought they would bring something to the table since they called the meeting. But we were shocked. It was disappointing, after an hour or so, that she herself admitted she was just coming for information.

?We?ve been negotiating for weeks, months. It seemed rather strange. My executive felt it was a waste of time really. Teachers were called out of classrooms for that meeting.

?That?s all I have to report. As far as we were concerned, the meeting was fruitless.?

Teachers are coming together as the industrial action continues, he added. ?It?s a difficult position for teachers, we don?t like to take industrial action because we are worried how it will affect the children.?

With work-to-rule action, at least children?s education is not being affected, he added.

?Teachers are still in the classrooms teaching.?

Mr. Charles admitted it had been ?impossible? to conduct the Terra Nova exams, however.

The Terra Nova exams are an international standard which the Ministry of Education uses as a benchmark to ensure Bermuda is keeping up with the rest of the world.

Mr. Charles said he believed Berkeley had been able to hold one day of the two-day exams with the help of substitute teachers but full administration of the tests was impossible.

As for rumours that primary school students are being forced to stay inside on their lunch hours due to teachers refusing to supervise lunchtimes, he said it was likely.

?I can?t see why that would be,? Mr. Charles said.

?There are not enough people to manage each classroom. In the schools I know about, the principals have been supervising outside.

?We are not going to back down. As teachers and professionals we feel we have jobs to do and we do them well, and we should be paid a yearly salary for it.

?The struggle goes on.?