Teachers expressed concern about Government’s Approach to privatize education with the “adopt a school” as mentioned in Governing program.

WITU says that they are not that concern about the privatization but instead they have greater issued that will affect teachers.

PHILIPSBURG:---- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Claire Elshot in a lengthy email to said that the WITU is not aware of this point of the concerns teachers have because none of the teachers, meaning members of the WITU voiced their concerns to them. I myself when I heard them stating "the privatization of Public Education " in the governing program, I immediately looked at the fact that this could not be because no documents on this topic ever came to unions for discussion and advice and no consultation was held either. So therefore I analyzed and tried to understand what was meant by this so-called "privatization". My conclusion is and was that this word is or has been used inappropriate. From my humble analysis they mean simple that businesses in the private sector will adopt, yes ADOPT a school. This doesn't affect the fundamental rights and privileges of our members or the teachers. This doesn't deteriorate or change the content of the quality of education or have a negative impact on this either. If government chooses to involve business in a give-back program by asking, requesting or imposing on them to adopt a school, instead of within their existing department implement a structure or foundation for the maintenance of the Public Schools, the same like for the Sports Facilities you have the Upkeep Foundation, which is their prerogative. They would have to also evaluate the effectiveness of this program. My members who knows their rights and benefits and responsibilities of the job won't act on this because this no threat to their legal position either.”

However, the WITU and members are more concerned about some other matters which Elshot listed.

1. The closing of the Charles Leopold Bell School in Cole Bay style " coute de zep" with "gag orders" given to the staff.
2. The intention of re-opening the same school as a correctional school
3. The impromptu termination of all members of the teaching staff 60 plus, so no contracts for school year 2015-2016.
4. The constant deterioration or weakening of the health care package, substituting with more generic medication.
5. The elimination of the Early Retirement or VUT package for retirement
6. No beneficial continued build-up of pension percent even when you have reach maximum build up.
7. No increase of Vacation Allowance to the percentage equal to all other Kingdom partners in the Dutch Kindgom
8. No discussions on the adjustment of salaries based on the price index and the increase thereof
9. Teachers, who reach step 20 in their scale instead of career development, seniority adjustment they are frustrated with a FREEZE in the salary scale preventing them from getting their scale increment that is due as of August 1st on a yearly basis.
10. No evaluation or accreditation system, so teachers are stuck in the category also. Category A-B-C.
11. And are always questioning this or voicing their concerns
12.  Increase workload on the administrative task of teachers
13. Concerns of violence against teachers and safe schools for all
14. Lack of support for creative teachers’ development. No system of financial aid for teachers to pursue higher level and too expensive program for teachers’ enrichment