The Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) is set to meet with the cabinet secretary on Friday to discuss salary increments. DAT President Mervin Alexander said it is true that the government has implemented structural adjustments for secondary school teachers, but salary increment remains an issue for most teachers across Dominica.
One of the things at the back of our minds now is the whole question of salary negotiations, because teachers are really at our back. We know the cost of living in this country and everywhere has gone sky-high, but salaries have remained the same way. So that is one of our major concerns right now.
Mervin Alexander, President of Dominica Association of Teachers
The DAT chief said a meeting has been convened for Friday to meet with the cabinet secretary to discuss salary concerns. He stated that while the structural adjustment has enabled secondary school teachers to fill available and newly created positions, primary school teachers should also have the same advantage.
He added that the agenda for the meeting includes salary increase for principals and the creation of the position of a vice-principal. He disclosed that depending on the success of the scheduled Friday meeting, restructuring of service positions for primary school teachers may take effect in the new financial year. He said the discrepancies remaining with teachers’ appointments and positions will also be examined at the meeting.
Meanwhile, DAT executives met on Wednesday, April 12, at St. Alphonsus Parish Hall to hold its Annual General Meeting. The meeting held under the theme “Health and Wellness: Make Yourself a Priority” and attendees were taught to promote their overall health through targeted physical exercises. Teachers were reminded that they need to care for themselves first to be able to care for others.
We really want teachers to think of their health as well. Sometimes they are so concerned about students and other things, they forget their own selves. We want them to care first and foremost about themselves, because if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else.
Mervin Alexander, President of Dominica Association of Teachers
In attendance at the meeting was Nurse Mignon Rolle-Shillingford, the national coordinator of health promotion, who urged teachers to take care of their health in a holistic manner. Blood pressure and blood sugar tests were tested for in those that attended, and they also took part in a rigorous but fun fitness exercise.
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