Dr Gonsalves, reinstate the NDP teachers

Editor: I love politics and I favour few politicians; that’s why I pay diligent attention to them and I try to focus on what they should be doing for St Vincent and the Grenadines. Back in the old days, politicians arose from the ordinary men in our society, but in recent times that has drastically changed.

I thought about becoming a politician once, but because I’m not highly qualified, I’m finding it very difficult to become one, so I’m simply observing.{{more}} The process of finding quality persons to become politicians is a serious challenge.

When I heard that the ULP and the Teachers’ Union had signed an agreement so that the teachers who contested in the general elections, if they lost, would be reinstated, I was so pleased. My thoughts were this is where we would acquire good Vincentians for politics — from the teaching profession.

After the NDP lost in the 2010 general elections and the teachers who contested for the party lost, they found themselves out of the teaching profession. That had me wondering about the constitutionality of the collective agreement which was signed by the Government and the Teachers’ Union. Sometimes, I wonder what’s the meaning of aspirational. I’m hoping that Dr Gonsalves could give me the answer, because I’m very confused on what took place with those teachers, the Government and the Teachers’ Union. While the court has pronounced on the matter, let me make it abundantly clear that I support and respect the legal and judicial system, so I’m not questioning the court on this ruling.

It was my hope that the matter shouldn’t reach courts; why? If the agreement was respected by both sides, we would have found it very easy to access viable candidates to contest as politicians. We had former teachers like Yvonne Francis Gibson, Alpian Allen, Mike Browne, and Parnel Campbell, who became excellent politicians. Today, we have quality persons like Deborah Charles and Dr Jules Ferdinand and there are other teachers in the profession today who would make very excellent candidates and positive politicians, if given the chance. The question is will teachers today show any interest in becoming candidates or potential politicians because of the agreement between the Teachers’ Union and the Government? Some persons of authority are saying that the signing was aspirational and symbolic and was not binding to our Constitution.

It is my opinion that Jomo Thomas and the lawyers who represented the teachers truly tried their best and they should be commended for their efforts.

Some questions Vincentians are asking: What is the Teachers’ Union’s position on the outcome of the matter? What should Vincentians who show interest in politics think about the matter? Should the Government pass a bill to make it easier for public servants and teachers who are interested in politics to be candidates? What is the NDP’s position on the matter? I’ve noticed some Vincentians are celebrating the outcome of this case, but that should not be, because there is no reason to celebrate.

I remember asking the Leader of the Opposition if he would reinstate the teacher who ran for the ULP if she lost and he said he definitely will. The ULP candidate I’m referring to is Mrs Deborah Charles, who contested for West Kingstown. I’m hoping that Dr Gonsalves passes a bill to support Vincentians who are interested in politics. When Dr Gonsalves placed his signature on the collective agreement, he should have realized that numerous Vincentians thought it was an excellent idea and their expectations were shattered because the agreement was not honoured by both sides. If that agreement was upheld, this country would be better off today. I truly believe that.

PLEASE, Hon Dr Ralph Gonsalves, I’m appealing to you to reinstate Elvis Daniel, Alison Bash and Kenroy Johnson to their positions as teachers. In the future, history would prove you as a strong Prime Minister.

Kingsley De Freitas