Dear Editor,
Last weekend, a few teachers from some public schools informed me that they were paid 1 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). I was told that some civil servants were remunerated as well. Some teachers from subsidized schools such as Milton Peters, Sundial, Charlotte Brookson, St. Maarten Academy, Seventh Day Adventist, Mac and St. Dominic told me that they did not receive COLA. This feels like discrimination.
Many of the persons I spoke to were incensed and angry. Furthermore, I was also told funds were not sent to school boards to pay the COLA. Many teachers at public schools have also told me that the government still owes them vacation allowance. This mistreatment and different approach to teachers must stop. I thought that all teachers are supposed to be equal? Is there a difference?
By the way, the extra day off is not enough. Teachers should go to school on January 8 2024. All over the Caribbean, this is the case. Even in Dutch islands such as St. Eustatius teachers are slated to return on January 8, 2024.
What message is being sent to teachers at subsidized schools? Are you saying we are nobody or nothing? If you cannot pay all teachers, do not pay none.
Kenneth Cook
