Teachers on leave, retirees to fill staffing gaps in schools

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has granted approval for retired teachers and those who are on long-leave to fill areas of specialisation where schools are not able to find adequate replacements.

Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, advised principals of the development yesterday, a media release from her ministry said. 
 
The education ministry said the approval was granted in response to its request to allow 'locum tenens', that is, teachers being their own replacement. 

It said while discussions continue in relation to a long-term solution, the following short-term measures are approved for implementation: 

•  Existing teachers to be able to serve as 'locum tenens' while on vacation leave in either their existing institution or in another institution of employment. During these periods of engagement the teachers' compensation are to be based on the existing guidelines for the payment of locum tenens.
   
•   Retired teachers to be utilised in areas of specialisation are to be re-engaged on a contractual basis only. The rate of pay is to be determined based on the position to be filled and not on the qualification of the retired teacher to be engaged.
   
•  For existing teachers, this approval is conditional on the understanding and acceptance that teachers will not earn or accumulate vacation leave for any period served teaching while on vacation leave.

The education ministry said 1,877 teachers have applied for and received vacation leave, retirement or study leave. 

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