Several teachers from Look Out Primary School staged a silent demonstration outside the facility on 29 April to draw attention to their working conditions.
The nine educators held brightly coloured signs detailing their grievances which included a “toxic” environment, stress, manipulation and victimisation.
The signs also said the school should provide pupils with physical education and introduce child safeguarding.
Fiona Meade, president of Look Out Primary School’s parent teacher association, who joined the teachers outside the school, spoke on their behalf about the issues of concern.
“I came to show them my support because we need teachers – if we don’t have the teachers, how will the children learn?” she asked.
Communication issues
Meade said the teachers had sent her details of their worries, many which stem from lack of communication with members of staff outside the management team.
They are being told about decisions and are not part of those decision making, she explained.
Meade said the teachers were concerned that management had removed physical education from the curriculum for the rest of the term without any consultation.
“It seems as if we are on the same level as pupils,” the PTA president said as she read a note from a teacher.
Other concerns that she brought up were that teachers are unaware of the issues surrounding the pupils in their care, lack of equal treatment and favouritism.
‘Arrogant’ leadership
Another concern was that the headteacher had been disrespectful in the way he spoke to staff, pupils and parents, Meade continued, adding that she had raised the issue herself.
“He shows power and authority by always shouting at others,” she read. “We need to witness a non-arrogant environment, belittling others, signs of bullying and victimisation.”
One teacher alleged they saw the headteacher “dragging and pushing children, punishing them by making them kneel down on the hard tile and sometimes…with weights in their hands”.
The PTA president described that as “abuse” and said she did not know it was “still going on”.
Another, in a note that Meade read, said: “Teachers need to have a voice, teachers need to be respected.”
Addressing the teachers taking part in the protest, she urged them to keep bringing their problems to her and told them “if you need to talk your stand, take your stand”.
Montserrat Focus contacted the Government of Montserrat for further details and is awaiting a response.
