Ministry Says ABIIT Transfer Won't Affect Students

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Education

Tuesday, 10 January 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - Students at the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Technology (ABIIT) will not be affected by the transition to Ministry of Education management, if the process goes according to plan, according to Permanent Secretary Jessel Edwards.

Edwards, chairman of the steering committee, said, “It is a work in progress. From time to time, we update and publish official positions on the matter. ... It is a transparent matter."

Caribarena.com has learned that ABIIT's staff has already received severance letters, and many will not be returning in February. Those who do are facing a salary reduction, according to reports.

A "Concerned Parent" wrote a public letter questioning the manner in which the transition was taking place, and how the ministry intended to address accreditation issues, and the quality of education, among other things.

The permanent secretary said he preferred not to speak “prematurely" at this time, as this could “prejudice" the procedure since it is taking place during the middle of the academic year.

As for severance, Edwards said if staff members have received letters, then that matter speaks for itself. He declined to comment on the number of employees who will be out of a job.

According to Edwards, the ministry has predicted certain “challenges” in the transition process, and was prepared to make sure that the human resource requirements are met. “It is a challenge we expect to be able to achieve,” Edwards said.

The steering committee is expected to meet this Friday. Attempts to reach Education Minister Dr Jacqui Quinn-Leandro for a comment on the matter were unsuccessful.

After the interview with Edwards, Caribarena.com found a listing of vacancies at ABIIT on the government's website.

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