Good Shepherd Primary School Closed by Ministry of Education Due to Teacher Shortage: Latest Updates from Barbados

The Good Shepherd Primary School has been closed, the Ministry of Education has confirmed.

The ministry said 18 teachers called in sick today. The development follows last evening’s meeting between teachers and the Barbados Union of Teachers. The ministry said it did not receive any communication from the union after the meeting.

In a statement the ministry said, “Due to the inadequate number of teachers present to effectively manage the student body and class loads today, [the] Good Shepherd Primary School had to be closed. Parents and guardians are asked to kindly collect their children and wards as soon as possible.”

The Ministry said four counsellors and an education officer were deployed to the school today to ensure a smooth resumption of classes in the aftermath of last Friday’s incident. Two police officers were also at the school today.

Last Friday, Police had to be called in following a matter “between members of the teaching body which left some teachers feeling threatened by what was levelled via text by another teacher.”

The Ministry said, “The individual at the centre of the issue was not on the premises, and he will not be allowed to return to the school until he has a meeting with the Ministry. Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw continued to work with the police over the weekend, and the matter is currently in the hands of the Barbados Police Service.”