On the heels of industrial action by teachers at the Elmore Stoutt High School last week, a group of teachers from the institution have released a statement on their grievances, with a significant focus on salary disparities and alleged intimidation within the educational institution.
In a statement, they said “The issues affecting teachers are multifaceted, with one major concern being the disparity in salaries. Some teachers have chosen to leave their positions due to inadequate pay, resulting in a situation where newly recruited teachers are offered higher salaries than those who have been in the system for years, despite having similar qualifications. This wage discrepancy can create frustration and demotivation among experienced teachers who feel undervalued for their years of service.”
“Overall, the combination of salary discrepancies, intimidation, lack of government response, delays in resource distribution, and infrastructure issues creates a challenging and demoralizing situation for teachers. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure the well-being and effectiveness of the education system and to retain experienced and qualified teachers within the profession”, it added.
The teachers have alleged intimidation tactics being used against both newcomers and cabinet members, raising concerns about freedom of expression and the ability to stand up for their rights.
“Furthermore, there seems to be a concerning trend of intimidation towards both cabinet members and the newly hired teachers. It has been discovered that these individuals are being threatened to refrain from participating in any form of protest or expressing solidarity with the teachers. This kind of coercion can stifle freedom of expression and prevent individuals from advocating for their rights”, the statement said.
The teachers’ union has reached out to the government to address these issues, but, as of the time of the statement, there has been no response from the government, leaving educators feeling unheard and frustrated.
The statement acknowledged the situation saying, “This lack of communication and acknowledgement from the government can further exacerbate the frustrations of the teachers and hinder the resolution of these problems.”
Delays in distributing essential resources, such as fans, were also said to have added to the discomfort experienced by both teachers and students, particularly with the recent increase of temperatures in the region.
“Moreover, there have been delays in the distribution of fans that were intended for the school. Despite being sent on Tuesday, the fans were not distributed until Friday, September 22nd. This delay can contribute to discomfort in the school environment, especially during hot weather conditions, and may affect both teachers and students”, the statement said.
“Additionally, the new building where the teachers are working is experiencing water issues and electrical problems. These infrastructure challenges can disrupt the normal functioning of the school and create an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe environment for both teachers and students”, it added.