Teachers have been staging protests in the form of a sickout, calling on Government to address some of the longstanding problems, including that of mold, that have existed over different administrations but exacerbated by the hurricanes of September 2017.

We have heard your cries

“Teachers, I have heard your cry, and I acknowledge that you are right. It always seems that money can be found for emergencies in other areas, but I declare to you teachers, I recognise we are in an emergency situation, and we need the resources to fix it. So standing with teachers is not enough. We must put our money where our mouth is. We must back up our talk with action,” Dr Wheatley stated during a live broadcast addressing the concerns of teachers last night, October 31, 2021.

He then challenged all elected members in the House of Assembly “to support the allocation of $2 Million in the upcoming budget for a complete overhaul of our schools.”

The Education Minister added, “ Let’s make sure that every single school has the money that is required to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our children.”

Not offended

Meanwhile, Dr Wheatley said he is not offended when his ministerial colleagues expressed that they were standing with teachers who were carrying out silent protest action last week.

“Let me affirm, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that our teachers have undisputably valid concerns that must be addressed. Therefore, I would never feel offended when anyone says they stand with teachers. I, too, stand with teachers. We all should stand with teachers."