Wilson: Teacher Shortages Persist

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Space and manpower continue to plague some New Providence schools, as most Grand Bahama and Family Island schools prepare for face-to-face instruction.

Kristina Dragovich has more.

“Obviously large class sizes and teacher shortages are clearly impediments to increasing the number of students for face-to-face and, or 100% return in the midst of this COVID pandemic,” Belinda Wilson, Bahamas Union of Teachers President (BUT), says.

She adds the reopening plans for each school will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

“Find alternative venues for additional class spaces. Utilize retirees and supply teachers and find volunteers – parents, guardians, persons in the community – who can supplement for the teacher shortage.”

Wilson says that will be a stop-gap measure. There are teachers who have been waiting since May 2021 to be hired.

She adds that an education plan will go a long way to outline the way forward.

Meanwhile, some schools on the Family Islands are facing challenges of their own.

“Unfortunately there are a few schools in Grand Bahama and several schools on Family Islands who are not ready to resume face-to-face for various reasons ranging from teacher shortages, insufficient space, and lack of furniture – desks and chairs,” Wilson says.

Some Family Island schools with populations lower than one hundred have already resumed face-to-face learning, about a week ago.