Prime Minister Gaston Browne has expressed concern over what he described as partisan political activity among a small number of educators, suggesting that some teachers may be influencing students with “dark values” and political agendas.
Speaking on the _Browne and Browne_ show on Pointe FM, the Prime Minister said he received reports that some teachers are allegedly introducing political bias into the classroom and undermining professional standards.
“Some of them, they have issues, you know,” Browne said. “And they take them into the classroom. They take the politics in the classroom. Our children — they’re role models. They’ve been paid to educate our children, not to lead them astray and not to get them into parties and politics.”
He claimed that several principals and teachers had privately voiced concerns about the politicisation of classrooms but were hesitant to speak publicly for fear of backlash from union leaders.
“Many of them would have spoken to me — even principals,” he said. “They said, ‘Hey look, we really not part of this foolishness, you know, but if we go out there and go against them, they’re going to call us snitches. They’re going to attack us.’”
The Prime Minister clarified that the concerns do not apply to the majority of educators but maintained that action is needed to ensure professionalism is upheld across the education system.
“This only applies to a very small percentage of teachers, so again, not painting the profession with a broad brush,” Browne noted. “But you have some not-too-kosher elements in there who we’re going to have to address.”
While dismissing the idea of widespread dismissals, Browne floated the possibility of reassignments for those found to be negatively impacting students.
“I don’t believe in firing people. Maybe move them out, put them somewhere else — otherwise than that, they’re probably going to create some significant problems for our children in the future.”
He concluded by emphasizing the need for internal oversight and collaboration between the Director of Education and school principals to preserve the classroom as a neutral, professional space.
“It’s a matter that the Director of Education and the principals may have to collaborate on to ensure that our teachers remain fully professional.”