Teachers in St Vincent & the Grenadines calls to continue protest against govt’s mandate vaccination policy

St Vincent and the Grenadines: The teachers have warned the government to continue their protest against the mandate vaccination policy if the Ministry of Education refuses to meet them. 

The protest was started by the teachers last Friday, as they fear that this mandate vaccination policy could result in educators losing their jobs and accumulated benefits. 

On November 25, 2021 letter written by teachers to the Education Ministry cites that, “We take this opportunity to remind the school’s administration of our value as a staff and allow the Ministry of Education to have a glimpse of what the school system will look like in the absence of a driven and dedicated workforce“. 

This letter was officially signed by around 29 teachers. While, it is also expected that – teachers at the West St. George Secondary School (WSGSS) to write to the Ministry of Education Monday over concerns related to the government’s vaccine mandate. 

In their previous letter, teachers stated, “We aim to raise your awareness of the difficulties that will ensue as a result of the loss of these experienced staff members at this very critical point in the school’s existence. Our focus has always been the students as we prepare them to move St. Vincent and the Grenadines forward”.

“As teachers, we recognise and appreciate the significance of your contribution. We stand not merely as conduits for academic achievement but also as nation builders, moulding the men and women of tomorrow. Hence, we are categorically against the dismissal of teachers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the loss of their benefits due to their vaccination status”. 

The letter further states that most of the teachers have been providing their service to the school for almost ten years that has made the West St. George Secondary School the success that it has been since its beginning. 

“As teachers, while we recognise the difficulties of the current pandemic, we hold firm that this (SR&O) will not be beneficial to any party, as we desperately try to avoid any further disruption to the already fragile environment of our disadvantaged student body,” the letter further concludes.