Posted: Monday, December 12, 2016. 7:24 p.m. CST.
By BBN Staff: The Ministry of Education had informed that classes would resume earlier after the Christmas vacation due to time lost during the BNTU’s sustained 11-day strike in October.
The ministry had indicated their intent to take 6 days back: 4 from Christmas vacation and 2 from Easter break.
Minister of Education, Patrick Faber had also indicated the Ministry would compensate teachers for the make up days, however, the nature of the compensation had not been decided.
Today the BNTU issued a press release explaining that the union remains firm in its position that it is the Managing Authorities and teachers who should decide when and how the time will be made up.
The union quotes Rule 131 (4) which explains that the school calendar is 180 days however, “special arrangements shall be made by the school (NOT THE MINISTRY) to fulfill this requirement.”
Additionally, the release mentions Rule 80 of the education rules which speaks about a teacher’s entitlement to vacation during Easter, Christmas and in July.
In its release, the union reiterates that the council of management, members and parents shared plans to proceed with the original calendar of vacation days.
Classes will resume on January 9, 2017.
The release ends by reminding teachers and managers to discuss plans to make up for the time lost.
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