Teacher trouble in East End
(CNS): Recruitment problems in the local education services led to demonstrations and a padlocked school gate in East End Tuesday. Disgruntled parents reportedly applied the lock to the school gates in protest this morning over a teacher shortage at the district primary as the school year gets underway. A statement released by the education ministry revealed that there are still a number of teacher vacancies across schools being covered by supply teachers or existing staff on a temporary basis while recruitment continues. The East End shortage was blamed on an ex-pat teacher who, according to officials, had arrived to take up the post prior to the start of school but who had since left the island.
During the day on Tuesday CNS received a number of unconfirmed reports and information that parents with children at both Savannah and John A Cumber primary in West Bay also had expressed concerns about shortages and other school problems. There was no official confirmation, however, that there were any other issues relating to other schools across the islands.
The ministry said that it believed the school in East End had been padlocked by an “unknown individual” because of the missing teacher and said that the entry to a classroom had also been damaged.
With two members of East End Primary School promoted this year, the ministry explained that it had recruited a “well-qualified Year 5 teacher”, who arrived in Cayman before school began but the teacher did not stay. “Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Department of Education Services the person appointed chose not to follow through with her professional commitment and has since left the island.”
Officials said that the recruitment process was underway to find another qualified Year 5 teacher and expected one to be assigned to East End Primary School in due course. In the interim, a supply teacher was provided but the principal chose to provide cover for the class from the existing staff.
This is one of several teacher vacancies, which officials admitted was not desirable at the start of the school year, but given that teachers are only required by law to give one month notice and overseas recruitment can take up to three months, the ministry said it was "an unfortunate reality”.
Education Minister Tara Rivers, who returned to work yesterday following her two weeks away, said locking the school gate was not the way to communicate with officials.
“It is important for us that the community is aware of the factthat we are engaged in a process of continuous evaluation and as challenges are brought to our attention we respond accordingly,” Rivers said. Expressing concern regarding the choice of action taken by the parents, she said government was committed to ensuring quality education for students and applaud parental involvement in this process.
“However, we seriously discourage members of the public from locking up schools in an effort to communicate with the education system. I, as minister, as well as the chief officer and chief educational officer and their staff are available to discuss issues of parental concern with schools, PTAs, and parents on an individual basis if necessary. Therefore, I encourage parents to use their school's PTA as a vehicle to have their concerns addressed,” she added.
The Department of Education Services said it was working with the East End Primary School principal to ensure that adequate cover was in place while a skilled teacher was recruited.
See full release below.
Category: Local News
Is the Cayman government restricted, on some level, when it comes to the hiring of teachers since most of the teachers are expats?
Ummm…the teacher who took off leaving them teacherless WAS expat!
Welcome to the third world. Waa wea you goen?
South Africa or deal with a ahortage of staff. Round the clock those charged should have worked to make certain we did not fall to this. MS drama Rivers could have went to Soitj Africa and Sykpedd Facebook her orders to her staff if she HAD. To go. No exuses only poor delegation of duties and to add aalt to the wound proof of leadership qualities
I am satisfied that it was Caymanians that locked out Caymanians. This one cannot be blamed on the Expats.
Whodatis will find a way to blame the brits, for sure…just you wait…any minute now…
"Education Minister Tara Rivers, … said locking the school gate was not the way to communicate with officials."
Yes, I agree. The correct way to communicate with officials is to send your concerns to South Africa via FedEx or UPS.
Or Tweet.
We cannot blame the civil servants for this fiasco! The elected officials in the Ministry of Education have a duty to the parents to be frank and honest. These elected members' response wreaks of side stepping and not wanting to accept responsibility! They are in charge and must step up and take responsibility! They wanted to get elected now they have to deal with the realities!
Bottom line they are lost and the Premier made a huge mistake putting in charge of this important area of government. Thank God they have a plan to follow, imagine if they did not?!?!
All I can say for now is that things are going to get a whole lot worse before it gets any better.
I'm not quite sure many people understand the magnitude of Cayman's issues or for a better term, underlying issues. The ignorance, arrogance and ungratefulness that we as a people display, we as a people should be embarrassed! Not only have we lost our sense of direction but also, the Cayman Pride.
I remember growing up, when it was a dishonor to bring shame or embarrassment to the family let alone the family name. I remember when it took a community to raise a child and without discipline there was no fear. Cayman has been so "westernized" to the point that I sit back and laugh! Don't hit your kid or I'll call child services… Lmao! Check out when I was growing up that was abuse atits finest! Tamarind switches, belts, pots, brooms… And the list goes on! You know what… Be late for school or talk back to the teachers, don't add a handle to thier name and see what happens… Miss a spelling word and see if your parent didn't get a note. This is a whole new generation where the parents don't support the system. People on a whole just don't support each other or the system.
How do we just cast blame on current politicians when they've only been there 100 days? Don't you see this problem has been festering from 6 governments ago? Throwback… Do you remember the "unity team"? Do you remember who the "dignity" team was? When they were called Exco members instead of Minister? Seems like a life time but it wasn't so so long ago? These issues we face on a whole all have a root cause! This is a super volcano with the lid half way off!
Remember when they were foreigners and not expats? We all have a label! You Caymanians lazy, and yes we have a few, like any foreign society would! But what about those who work thier backsides off to make an honest living and make this country run?
And to the foreigners who like to put thumbs up or thumbs down when a comment is anti Caymanian or anything against Caymanians, if things were so good in your country why are you even here? Lemmie guess…. Because you care so much about training the "lazy" Caymanian? Or because you have some other hidden agenda????
So you're saying we should all beat our children?
No Dummy!!!!
Is that the only thing you gathered from that lengthy comment?
As a Caymanian, I too had the foresite to see the problems of our youth on an uprise. I don't know if you have been around the block long enough to know this but, our school buses never had to have a "warden" but now there are up to two "wardens" on a school bus depending on the school! So that should have been a sign to the Politicians, parents, and the whole community at large that we had a disciplinary problem festering. So summing that up, if a bus driver needs two "wardens" on a bus for only and hour or two a day, can you imagine how the teachers must feel? And they have to have them the whole day without DISCIPLINE?????
Ummmm…. that was part of that super volcano that was mentioned!
Now to putan end to your comment, which asked a question as to whether or not we should just beat our children, let me break it down for you!
The PARENTS are the ones who need beatings, not the children! Children are a reflection of what is taught at home! And when a parent makes it okay for a child to be rude and or disrespectful – ummmmm….. What exactly did you think would happen? Charity begins at HOME! Try practicing it for a change, it might just do you some good!!!
Don't spare the rod and spoil the child!!!!
And again, if you have been around the ole' block awhile you would know EXACTLY what that means!!!
AMEN!
I have to agree with this writer and would also like to add that everything starts at home. If parents are supporting wrongdoing, then what else should the community expect. A child is a reflection of thier parents and where parenting has been lacking you get the effects that have been dispalayed from the current generations. The norm has just become another saga of turning a blind eye to festering problems. We want to blame everyone except ourselves including politicians for dropping the ball but please bear in mind that they too, are human. If everyone claimed responsibilty for thier actions then that might be a start to some form of resolution. Cayman like anywhere else in the world is evolving, its just sad that some people are not evolving with the country, or they are evolving a day late and a dollar short. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.
Some of the comments on this topic are really worrying. One get the impression that the school chidren are really not worthy, the parents are rude, the education officials are incompetent and the readers are frustrated to the gills! There was only one person to put blame where it should be.. parents are responsible for bringing up disclipined and sociable children. Stop playing blame games. If a school do not have a teacher, volunteer to assist the school, do not lock the gates and damage the classroom. One of our local teachers started as a vlunteer at the school and is now a full time teacher.
The Minister or the Counselor has nothing to do with this situation. This falls squarely on the shoulders of the Chief Education Officer and the Chief Officer in the Ministry.
Simply put: Incapable.
#14:02 I totally agree. The senior officials in the Ministry are paid to deliver services. If we have come to the point where a minister or councillor has to check on whether routine work like recruitment is being done in a ministry then we are absolutely lost. Recruitment for teachers is usually started from first part of the year and these guys came in end of May so what happened???
Sad eh, when its wrong its the politican, when its right the senior staff push out into the limelight.
Oh well Franz says morale is low and the new gov needs to fix it. I guess we have here an example of what happens when morale is low…….what was routine work is now a big deal to do so its just not done. This work should have been started Feb/March, its being done in September of a new school year. What a mess.
I'm not sure if this is the right forum to say this, but I really hope that our new Governor can weigh in with some help.
Previous Governors have stood by and watched Cayman implode, but perhaps we can appeal to Ms. Kilpatrick's humanity and ask her to intervene? Apparently our elected officials are way out of their depth.
It is beyond her official remit, however morally she could stand up and say a few words to put pressureion those whose job it is to sort it out
third world country mentality
I think you should make Tara go teach that Grade 5 class. She has been through a whole lot of training at various universities, institutions in a few countries. Her training was so overwhelming that it had to take a court to try and determine where she really from and still struggling to figure her out her country of abode. I vote Tara for East End Primary school teacher
Pray tell… How does locking your kids out of the school help their education? Me thinks at least this one parent should have stayed past 3rd grade when they were in school… (IF they were in school…)
I was in East End once, and I didn't have a pistol. I left just as fast as I could. I expect the teacher felt something similar.
So we have several hundred million dollars worth of schools and an annual education budget of what, around $60,000,000?
Never in the history of human endeavour has a nation achieved so little with so much.
Unbelievable.
CI should look at the best approach, not average, in the world when it comes to education.
Since it implemented huge education reforms 40 years ago, Finland's school system has consistently come at the top for the international rankings for education systems.
So how do they do it?
It's simple — by going against the evaluation-driven, centralized model that much of the Western world uses.
This is why the National Strategic Plan for Education is based on the concepts of the Finnish Education system. How quickly we forget that the former Minister of Education was one of many education leaders from around the world that had the wisdom to go to Finland and see the system first hand. I also remember hearing him on Rooster talking about how the Early Childhood Education system he introduced was based on what he observed in the Finnish approach. We forget very quickly when good happens, and whilst I am not a UDP fan, we must admit a good job was done in education from 2009-13. Even Rolston did not have a school shut down by parents and I heard the East End MLA say on many occassions how much interest he showed to this school. I guess those days are a distant memory and the parents are frustrated!! Go East End parents! Stand up for your rights!
I don't know about the Finnish part but I found him quite receptive when some parents made a request regarding Teacher's Aides that were needed at the schools. Within two weeks, they were there.
Now, as to the problem with the teacher that someone said that she was hired to teach 2nd grade and was then told 5th grade: teachers are like doctors trained for certain grades. You can't or at least you shouldn't hire a Primary School teacher to teach high school. With all of this trading around, I'm wondering if these teachers are qualified for the posts they are giving them. I know that a teacher for a Reception class for a very long time was not a teacher.
Psssst! 2nd grade and 5th grade are both primary school! It's not like doctors at all; it's not like you wouldn't know what 5th graders have to learn.
They are also highly taxed country. Part of the taxes pay for a high quality early childhood education system. Also, long maternity or paternity leaves are available. While it may be a good model, not sure it can be replicated just by looking at it. We would have to change the structure of government completely, and begin implementing direct taxation.
you pay the prices we do for stuff here and tell me we are not taxed? Oh come on!
Eastern european schools are the same…they drive the students hard…but boy do they get results..more graduates per capita than many places can dream of. And kids want to go to university instead of the negative attitudes to be found in a lot of places.
Finnish educators do not drive those kids hard, quite the opposite.
The Education department is turning a blind eye to many issues involving the schools. Take for instance the afterschool programs. For those of us who are not involved in cover up, then make an investigation as to what is going on at the afterschool programs and check how many Caymanians are employed. Government education after school program has a Top Boss and second Boss is ahusband and wife team from Jamaica. Funds comming out of the government pocket also, and Mr Michael Miles from the Education department is responsible for this. Can he explain why both of them are running this program when there are capeaple qualified Caymanians without a job. Another program being headed up by Mr Chris Christian, financed by the Government and again the government need to examine this program and set it up correct. Whether we want to believe it or not the government is to be blamed for what is happening at the schools. Obviously Tara and Winston cannot handle the job. They need to do more investigation into these programs instead of just going by the words of a few who are covering up the truth.
Well the cow is out of the barn and there a lot of roosters and hens caclking outside of the Barn my word.
With all of the outcry what is the solution people, it takes four to 5 years to have qualified teacher training, the salary levels are poor, we do not have a system from within the schools that encourages children to consider teaching as a profession of for that matter other careers.
THe previous GOvernment recognized the need for early child intervention from the primary school level and much has been done in this regard,however, there is a lot more that is needed. It is obvious that the present CIG, dont have a grip as yet (hopefully it wont take long) but we pray that they dont just sit and tinker and tinker, but will with consultation at the PTA/Parents level, with Teachers and the general public formulate a plan to deal with the disciplinary issues, with teachers renumeration, with training of caymanians in this field, meanwhile recruiting from the region as opposed to culturally sensitive areas where peole come from have the belief that we are still swinging from the trees(unfortunately we do give that impression with our lack of dicipled thinking and behaviour in some respect.
Let us work together the CIG cant do it alone, no matter which side you support the right side is our LAnd, our people, those who we invite to stay with us for a while and our visitors lets make it work together. And another Ting.
You say much has been done at the primary level for intervention. What has been done? There are no government funded reading intervention programmes at primary. The highly touted math intervention programme is being done by classroom teachers after their normal work day which differs markedly from the implementation in other countries where teachers were hired to do the intervention during the whole school day. Thus far fewer children actually get the intervention. Behavioural intervention practically does not exist. Teachers are expected to deal with severe behavioural issues that would have been removed from the normal classroom in any other jurisdiction, but are left in the classroom to run amok. These children affect teacher morale, and the safety of other children in the class. Don't let the glossy papers from the Ministry fool you. Things are dire in primary schools. Research shows us that primary schools and early childhood are the most important schooling years. The government better start doing something in our primary schools. Don't let the Ministry and DES double talk confuse you into believing that there are quality intervention of any kind that are funded by the government. Just look at Michael Myles having to beg money all the time. If it is such an important programme why isn't government funding it.
I must disagree with part of this. A lot has been done with the Early Intervention Program at least in our Primary Schools. My son was helped through this as well as a lot of other children.
Why are we so contrary to our own self. If we analyze the stench all a we responsible. What are you doing today to make a change? Me I'm carrying my gran Pinckney dem to school with
love and affection.
Oh Dear..
Dem already dumb as a rock and now dey teacha gone…
During Winston Connolly's pitiful explanation on Crosstalk, the excuse for this debacle was that communication had been prepared BUT NOT SENT OUT, to the persons concerned – MLA McLean, the Principal etc. Again, it's the fault of someone else. Sounds familiar?
Winston is way out of his depth and Tara is in the Twilight Zone.
It does not pass the "how does this further the interests of Tara" test. Unless there is a photo op for The Compass or Channel 27.
And I would like to know what FACTS y ou have to substantiate ThaT what Winton Said on Rooster was not the truth. If you truly know something then tell us how you know. Fat chance of that!
Of course what he said was the truth. That's what makes it so worrying.
just talk to ezzard and arden….they know of '3,000' caymanians who are 'ready, willing and able' to fill this position……zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz #wonderland
No, surely by now its 5000.
So explain something here. The Expat teacher was hired, since there were no qualified Teachers to fill the post. She ran away before she started. Now its her fault.? She did what other Expats will do very soon, get the heck out of this place, and since Caymanian are saying they can do the job what do you expect. Imagine a whole school and a Goverment disrupted over one Expat leaving before time. So called 3000 caymanians without jobs and not one qualified teacher can be found. Now that we see no qualified caymanian teachers are availible to fill the post or the backward minds of ignorant people that will not want to work or drive cross districts we see the value of Expats. In this caseQualified Teachers are needed, Lets see what is more important qualified teachers or a caymanian claiming that they can be trained to teach at the school. Arden, stand up to your people as well. They cannot continue to think that everyone will suck up to ignorance, and abuse for the sake of sunshine. And I would like to know. How did this become the blame of Mr. Winston or Miss Tara, or in fact C4C, and might as well include PPM.? If they are the Goverment heads so to speak. The same people are in charge and responsible of the various departments. Miss Goveronor, just take over already. all I can think of is ignorance, ignorance, so much backward minded people. I understand the need for teachers, but if Cayman simply dont have a whereabouts to train or people not interested to live abroad to study, then stop the hog wash. Bring in all the Expat teachers, let them do there jobs properly and when the abusive children try to act like spoil brats, blame the parents and call it for what it is. Enough already cayman, Until cayman wakes up and smell the piss or coffee which ever you choose they will always be ignorance. Please understand the difference between being the responsible person as opposed to being the person responsible, which are the Civil Service staff. This proves it once and for all. Some professionals will not hang around here too long with all the BS they have to put up with. Miss expat teacher. I dont blame yu darling for running away, if i could get away I would do the same. Good luck and keep us in your prayers.
So lets see if I get this right.
They go through a recruiting process and this lady wins.
So in theory she has a contract for the job.
She comes down and then does not take the job.
The education department sounds like they did their job.
Who else are you going to blame but the expat teacher?
That is unprofessional and the parents dont help the situation either.
Granted I would be upset if I was one of the parents but this was not the education department or school fault.
Did you ever think there must be a reason for the sudden departure? See comment below as someone has explained.
The simple reason that this teacher did not take up her position is because of the unprofessional, disjointed and totally unfit for purpose education system you have here in Cayman.
Why do you think so many expat teachers, (with years and years of experience in teaching) are leaving? Basically they are disillusioned and fed up with inept management and a hostile local population.
Sounds familiar doesn't it? Teaching isn't the only profession that will suffer at the hands of know all nothing Caymanians. Soon the exodus will be so bad that you wont have to worry 'how many Caymanians' are unemployed or 'could do that job', you'll just need to worry how you're going to educate your kids and pay your bills.
Caymanians teachers are leaving too. I know of 4in the past 3 years who have moved to private schools. Ex -pat teachers have some place else to go. If Caymanians teachers had that kind of choice they would probably leave too.
Maybe if you had a better education you could understand. She was an experianced professional, not a slave.
Maybe if you had a better education you would be able to spell "experienced". Who said anything about slavery? In the course of my work I have had to do a number of things that strictly speaking fell outside my job description, but I was committed to my job and did them without complaint.
Had the attitude of this teacher been displayed by a Caymanian there would be no end to the posts on here decrying the poor work attitude of Caymanians.
The teacher was a year 2 teacher who specialized in younger children and was told she would be teaching year 2 when she took the job. However, they then moved her to a school in East End (she lived in GT) and gave her Year 5 – go figure why she quit….
Plenty of teachers left the Island over summer. This problem is not isolated to public school, Prep School for example has loads of new teachers.
One common issue I have heard from teachers is that they are completely underpaid for what they are expected to do. With the ever increasing cost of living, many teachers just barely get by and it is just not worth it for them to be here to struggle financially and be abused by their students and their often too ignorant parents. I can't blame them for packing up and heading somewhere where at least financially they can make some headway.
Too bad that I have 5 yrs. left to meet my pension or I would be down there begging for that job(although I would be another ex-pat). Those 5th graders would be a piece of cake after the teenage "gangsters" I have been teaching for the last 23 years! BTW…..the key is to set down your rules the first week of school and be consistent the rest of the year! I would love to be living on the island educating East End students!!!!
my son goes to Prep…I only know of 1 teacher leaving due to retirement and another left to go back to her home country. Both posts were subsequently filled in advance of the start of the school year. Prep is best……..but it ain't cheap!!
It costs much less than the Government Schools.
Dear Disgruntled,so explain something here,
dont know where you come from, but I believe you are crude and rude. Out of a situation which is explainable you have taken a road which leads to nowhere and your tires will wear out. Our problems are ours, we will solve them in the end. NOt at the pace which you give the appearnce that you are used to, but yes we will. We are responsible people, if we were not the likes of you who come here and condemn us would not be offered a better way of life than what you have experienced before perhaps in your home country wherever that is or in your travels; loking for a home-you are outwearing your welcome my dear.
So peace be unto you, and yours, may the bitterness in your heart for the people who have extended a welcoming hand to you, be a thing of the past. Vent your frustrations on someone else or elsewhere, as they say you look better going than coming.
Many excellent points!!! I too found it bizarre that an entire school and government was disrupted by the loss of one teacher.
Just another instance of suitably qualified trying to tell the really qualified how to do the job and failing. CIG is so full of incompetently qualified it can no longer tell the difference. Hint: You want professional? You need to start at the top and let professional do a professional job of getting professional workers to do a professional job. Right now you have 3rd world pretending to know something and getting mad at every one who doesn't agree with them.
Where was Tara during the summer break when these types of issues should have been resolved?
I would suggest that she was making plans to visit Seff Effrika. TripAdvisor can be quite time consuming.
What passport did she go on? Seriously, I think that is a fair question in the circumstances. The Court of Appeal may need to know!
She was in court!
In true Caymanian style you voted her in to take the blame off you parents. We get it. At least she's paid well.
Well Arden & Ezzard, didn't you have " secession planning" in place for this teacher? Why weren't you training a Caymanian to take the place of the expat when they left? You expect the private sector to do this… better clean up your own house before you tell me how to run mine!
Because even Caymanians do not want to teach their own over-indulged offspring.
As a Caymanian teacher I disagree with your comment. The reason why so few Caymanians are educators has little to do with the students. Yes, there are troublesome students, but out of a class of 25, the majority of the students are awesome. The problems have more to do with the organizational structure of schools and the lack of support for the teacher. The situation at EEPS shows how reactive, as opposed to proactive, the system is. The message did not go out? Do you know how teachers struggle in such a flawed system? They too are uninformed. Same for the principals. We are firefighting out there, without oxygen tanks or safety gear. It is a lack of governmental support, not those 25 little smiling faces that makes us struggle. If government could actually function, instead of dysfunction, our schools would be a lot better. Maybe CNS should look at the Caymanians teachers who have left to teach in the private schools. It sure wasn't because private school children as less indulged.
I do not understand what you are talking about.
I see you have spellcheck and you want to take a piss at Arden and Ezzard, but, are you sure that "secession planning" is the word you want to use? How does the private sector get into this when the article is about the Government school …… come to think of it the private schools did a stellar job in recruiting all the teachers they needed for all classes.
Wha unnah gyinn on wid according to some this has been a 100 days of blissfulness Wha happen mannn remember now our premier says we got stability in government, but it looks like chaos and mayhem everywhere else give a big shout out to da PPM Bigga ya self yes and it is not even Christmas? What a Mess!!!!!!
Why didn't the Principal use the qualified teacher which was provided by The Ministry of Education during the interim ? Was such a professional ever "supplied" by the Ministry ? Something stinks in this scenario !
Good job to the parents of East End who demanded qualified teachers for their kids. .
I assume you have intimate knowledge regarding all the applicants applying for the position in question right? If not, please refrain from writing nonsense.
There you go local, one expat down, that was taking your jobs…. so why not apply for the posistion? ooohhhh thats right…. you're not qualified!!!!
Why are you still in Cayman if you have such hatred towards Caymanians?
It is not hatred towards Caymanians in general. It is more a loathing for a particular sub-section of the Caymanian population – no prizes for guessing exactly which sub-section.
Would it not be best for you to just go home? You will no longer need to have "a loathing for a particular sub-section of the Caymanian population". Problem solved!
It would be best if you just got used to being loathed. Solving your problem is not the rest of the worlds problem.
Boy the truth hurts so bad.
Yep there is a Job for a Caymanian now. 2999 left to go. or is it 22000?
Wait, you mean still the position is not filled? What you say , waiting for the permit to be sorted? Differed that need that waiver from NDWA? Just get Tilly Girl to teach, she can lean on the job and she is caymanian. Remember in Cayman its not about being qualified as "Caymanian" is a title on the resumes. right up there with "BS" and "MIB" and "MDC". (you get the point).
Lets just keep pretending that we can do it all that we can fill every job, that we dont need education. Lets just get our handouts and go back to watching Barney.
Oh dear! Judging by the number of "thumbs down" and "trolls" I may have pinched a nerve here. Let me explain…..
Firstly, Cayman IS my home. I have lived here for just over a third of my life. I have invested here financially, emotionally and socially since moving here. My children were born here and are likely to only ever know Cayman as their home. I am not like other foreigners who consider the land of my birth to be my home. I have no other connection to that place apart from family that still live there.
Secondly, the particular sub-section of the Caymanian population that I loathe, I also loathe the same sub-section in other nationalities. It really isn't about the nationality (gender, ethnic groups, religious affiliation or sexual orientation, for that matter). It is about the lazy, freeloading bastards that sit back and complain about what the Government is NOT doing for them in stead of getting off their lazy backsides and get an honest day''s work. It is those people who then sit and complain about the expats that come here and take their jobs, when they themselves are not willing or able to do what it takes to land one of those same jobs they so covet. Further, any comment about the lazy freeloading sub-section of Caymanian society is then taken as an attack on ALL of Caymanians ( yes, someone had to go there with the "go home" crap.)
It is time the freeloading Caymanian sub-section realize that the more you sit on your arse, the more need there will be for foreign labour.
The easy money almost makes it worthwhile.
The wheels on the bus are falling off, falling off, falling off, the wheels on the bus are falling off, all through the town. Although I find the measures taken by the parent(s) a bit drastic, I think that they are symbolic of greater issues at hand.
One thing I admire about the people of East End; is that they stand up for what they believe in. I only wish the rest of the island was as together as the East End people are. On another note, I do not know why the government do not allow educated persons with good character to be of assistance in each class room. I would be a good thing because the Teachers themselves could use the help and Caymanians out of a job would be in a position to offer some assistance.
Yes, go round up the losers, drunks and junkies from outside of the East End bars and put them in the classroom with teachers. I'm sure they are qualified enough to teach the feral off spring of ignorant parents how life in Cayman should be.
Better still, instead of teaching your kids that they are 'Caymanian' so therefore they don't need education, (especially from 'foreigners'). Tell them to 'just sell that bit of land or put it against a loan, (which you'll never be able to honour) my son and you'll never have to work, (just like daddy, who ever he maybe)'.
While I do not agree with the manner in which these parents decided to show their anger on this issue, I will say to the political establishments that have relied on Caymanians remaining tolerant and obedient to take note. The time is now upon us. Caymanians have grown tired and dissmisiveof the tatics of old. Is this a good thing? the jury is out on that. But I do believe that this is just the start. Mr. Premier, it would be wise for you to take note as well.
I applaude the east Enders for the stance on the matter. Matter of fact this district is the only district to stand up for their beliefs including their representative mr. Arden mclean. What we need is more people to do the same for what is not right. Too long we have been known as passive and politicians do as they please.
Mr. Premier we are fed up with the high cost of living, back door deals, unnecessary travels, crime and the total disregard to the people needs of these islands. Why should the rich benefit from the sweat on the brow of our fore fathers and we must be placed on social services? An old philosophy give a man a fish and he will starve. Teach him to fish and he will eat for a long time.
We wish for equal treatment just like those that come here and set up shop. Why as a small business owner we are not allowed the same consessions as Dart or any rich business owner that come here to our shores? Kill the small business people and let the rich get fat is what the current policies are allowing?
we frustrated and tired of the same poli tricks. Now you taking teachers out of the schools that teach our children? Cut back on your travels and pay the teachers, the policemen and firefighters what they deserve and let us have some respect for our families, dignity and family morales.
Good Job Winston and Tara. C4C what a joke, these ppl are so lost they might be found by 2017. LOL
i am quite suprise that there is a shortage of teachers. my wife who holds a mater degree and many years of teaching experience had here application denied when she attempted to get a job with the education ministry. she has been applying every year since 2009. she is a PR and would not need a work permit.
just recently they called her and offered her a fill in position which she was not able to take up because she found employment else where. smh.
Sad that things had to get to this, persons need to pull up their socks are get someone who can do the job.
I hope your wife is not the pleasant foreign lady who showed up and applied for a job and we found she could not speak English. If she is the one, then you are the gentleman who was very upset and threatening because "I am a Caymanian and my wife needs a job".
When they recruit you to teach here, they stress tax free, sun etc. Then you meet some of the students and you realise you need to change your whole view of what you have been recruited for or get out of there fast.
When a teacher shows up and then runs away, the situation may not be all her fault–even tho' Cayman is the best place in the world.
I guess a peek behind the curtain revealed a third world cake and ass party, which was probably not sitting comfortably professionally.
"required by Law to give one month's notice." Bollocks! You are insane to operate on that basis. All professionals in the private sector expect 3 to 6 months and are bound by it. Just put it in the contracts!!!!
This is what we have in charge of educating our children? Who feeds you this crap?
wow, you are one VERRRY angry person… need some counceling ASAP
No, just someone with a first world education outraged at the third world nonsense destroying the next generations of my own people and helping to leave them entirely incapable of competing (or spelling).
Where is the suitably qualified Caymanian for this position?
Thank the Lord my kids go private.
Of the teachers I spoke to who left after the last term (4 in total), all left primarily because of the level of disrespect and unruly behaviour of the students. I viewed a video taken by one of them which amounted to both verbal and physical assault. Yet it was reported and NOTHING was done about the perpetrators. By the way, this was in a primary school classroom! If the behaviour I see at local after school hangouts is anything representative, then we are all in for a rude shock from the next generation.
Several children of primary school age in my own neighborhood use language in public that would make a sailor blush! The parents speak back to them in the same manner, setting such an excellent example. It's no wonder these school leavers have such bad attitudes that they cannot get or hold a job. There are very few that I have met that I would ever hire due to their poor dress habits, lack of punctuality (IE showing up for work on time), lack of literacy & numeracy, rude behaviour and foul mouths.
Parents wake up! It is your responsibility to raise respectful and sociable children. Once they get to be school age, your problem should not shift to the educational authorities. Discipline and self-respect is taught at home. My two children are now adults, an accountant and an HR professional. They never had much in the way of expensive toys as children, yet they are self reliant and contributing members of society who have never been in prison or any other trouble. They treated their teachers with respect and EARNED scholarships to pay for their advanced educations. These scholarships were granted by merit, not applied for!
I agree 150%! I know someone who used to be a teacher in one of the public primary schools, who decided to switch careers after he just couldn't take it anymore, seeing and dealing with all these neglected and/or undisciplined students showing up in his class room every day.
Too many kids come to school without having been fed a breakfast, clothes in shreds, shoes with holes etc. They do not have the supplies at home to do their homework, nor is anybody at home able or willing to help those kids with their homework or studies. Often, the parents don't bother to come and pick up the kids until 6:00 p.m. They are just left at the school grounds. When kids are being reprimanded by their teachers, instead of parents giving them a good assing at home for having gotten in trouble at school, the parents rush to school and start screaming at the teachers.
For teachers, this whole thing has turned into a no win situation and quite frankly, you couldn't pay me enough to put up with this shit every day.
In other countries, there are a lot stricter messures in place to deal with such issues and they therefore do not escalate to such levels as we seem to have in our schools. In Cayman, we continue to pacify and coddle everyone from baby age up way into adult stage. Government has taken responsibility for too many things in the past and as a result, people believe that they can always shift blame somewhere else.
For example, why the hell is Government paying for having children bussed to school every day? Why do parents not cover those costs? Is it the Governments responsibility to ensure that kids get to school every day or is it the parents responsibility. This may sound like some petty stuff, but that's how it all starts…………..taking over responsibilities that should rest with parents, and not holding parents accountable for their actions or lack of actions.
Same here. Known several teachers and its always the same. Students can do and say whatever they want and if you try and put your foot down or " own" your classroom. They run to mom and dad and complain. Then the hand comes down on the teacher. Parents are sometimes the students worst enemy. Never gonna change. I'm surprised more teachers don't go. They come, meets so perspective co workers and get the real inside scoop. It's not worth it.
Boot camps needed maybe? Reading these comments makes one think that we need not just qualified teachers but Comandos that will whip (figuratively) the students into shape. I dont have young children, so I dont have firsthand knowledge of any of the scenarios written in these postings but having witnessed the behavior of some of these children in other contexts, I can imagine what it is like to have them in a classroom all day. And the parents support their behavior.
I may sound like an old fogie (I may even be one) but from the time children were allowed to goto school wearing uniform pants three sizes too big, falling around their behinds and bundling around their feet, and some of the girls uniforms being so sloppy and unkempt, the battle was lost. And I blame the parents for this because they buy the clothes for the children.
Wearing a uniform is a discipline and if children dont have to respect their school uniform they wont have much respect for anything or anyone else. God have mercy on this country.
The boot camp should be for the parents who neglect their children and fail to instill proper values and behaviors.
Podna, these teachers can't even LOOK at a child hard without mommy and daddy going to the school and screaming for their head on a stick, threatening teachers with what they gonna do if they touch their child, blah, blah, blah……and you want to send little Johhny and Jane to "Boot camp"?? That is never going to happen..Cayman has lost two entire generations and is in danger of losing several more in the coming decades because we have gotten soft….we have adopted a culture of entitlement, forgotten what competition and drive is..we have imported poverty become the social welfare state of the Caribbean and to a large extent the rest of the third world, and now are suffering the consequences…crime is up, unemployment is up, social services handouts are through the roof..sorry to say, but we are the engineers of our own fate..and the worse part is, we have not even BEGUN to see hard times, yet…
Should have been at the meeting I was at where the principals insisted that the students wear the proper shoes. One parent cried poverty for spending x amount of dollars on shoes. Let's just say that it was twice what I wwould pay. I don't call that poor, I call that rich. And the earrings, God forbid that you have to take those out of their little darling ears.
The problems with teachers in schools goes far beyond East End Primary. In schools throughout the island, teachers have been yanked from their classrooms and assigned to completely different schools, in some cases to a school in a different district. There are A LOT of disgruntled teachers as a result of the changes "conjured up" over the summer. In some instances, teachers were given a single day's notice that they were being moved to another school. It is also being reported that some teachers had agreed to changes when in fact they had not even been informed that they were being moved to another school. Overthe summer someone decided to treat various teachers like chess pieces in a game and it has resulted in a lot of upset teachers. This is not good for our kids!
Why even bother to call them Teachers? We dont need teachers here. we need Caymanians. Who cares if they are qualified or not.? (Of course im being very sarcastic). So all of a sudden we see that there are no qualified Caymanian Teachers. East Enders have shown they dont care who you are, cayman or not, if you not qualified they will not takeSo Goverment will be forcing the private sector to hire and train Caymanians, but they cant even find one. Try telling a west bayer or george towner "qualified" caymanian to go teach a school in East End and you see how fast they tell you about yourinner parts. It would seem as if they have to go to the moon. But yet they claim they concerned about the welfare of cayman islands, they say they are enough Caymanians to fill every post. Cayman is so full of BS drama for the news. Goverment should try to let the private sector run the business with who they choose and who are capable and qualified. Stop talking stupidness about caymanians can be trained to be bartenders and waitress, as if any caymanians would patronize the places that receive the un-professional service. I had an experience one day at arestaurant. As I sat down a nice young man came in and started to discuss about how the place was still new and that the other staff did not know what they were doing, he said and I qoute " they so lucky to have me here since I know so many people I can talk to them" . Was the worst service and he had no clue or did not care to discuss the menu, just keep up in the customer faces how he did not want to work there, but they needed him. You cannot teach customer service or you cannot teach someone to be a good bartender. Its is an aquired skill. Not an entitled one. All good Caymanians are working. Every last one of them. The rest are imported. Or just plain unemployable. Cayman do not like to hear the truth. End Of story. How funny the story. One! , just One Expat leaving created this much drama, ohh how it stoped the whole school. Remember one light pole dissrupted the whole half of the Island, Imagine 2 or 3 poles,? imagine 1500 expats? Of course I agree it should not come down to this, but facts are facts.
No one is telling you but, the recruited teacher who "chose not to follow through with her professional commitment" was hired as a year 2 teacher and on arrival was then thrown into year 5. There's a big difference between year 2 and year 5 kids and she just was not prepared for that role.
That is understandable. The exact same thing happens in the workplace throughout Cayman on a daily basis.
Does this ring a bell to any employers out there?
"I nah doin dat cause it nah in my contrac".
Thank you. There is always two sides to a story- sometimes three. Education department needs to get their act together as well. I know and agree that parents really need to step up to the plate where their children's education is concerned. There have always been deliquent parents and children but now it is so much worse. Some parents who try to raise their children properly now are having a hard time because in some households neither parent is working and cannot afford to feed, clothed and otherwise provide for their children. Some children cannot get a proper bath in the mornings before going to school because the water bill was not paid and the supply got cut off. Some parents cannot even afford to buy bath soap or deodorant for their children to use. These are not merely excuses but real needs. That is why every effort should be made to get some of these parents working again. No ,getting a job won't heal all the ills of this community but it will go along way in assisting parents who really want to take care of their children. Another thing please do not start comparing our children with children in many other countries- unless you are going to acknowledge that the schools in Cayman is still much safer than some schools in for America, England and many other places. We have our issues here for sure, but so does the world at large. All of us need to do our share, and remember respect begets respect!!