Members of the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union (BEMU) withheld their services ahead of the start of the new school year in protest of outstanding issues such as the payment of geographical allowances.

BEMU President, Stephen McPhee spoke with ZNS News on Wednesday to provide an update on this and other grievances. He said, “we are still awaiting the geographical allowances for the majority of administrators who were redeployed to various family islands. This only adds to the problem because with an existing shortage of school leaders those who would have been reassigned to family islands are now awaiting their geographical so that they can begin and report to work.”

McPhee also addressed the lack of school principals in some schools as the new year got underway. He noted the failure of the education ministry to make vacancies public is a reason for the shortage and the burnout of those who hold that position.

“BEMU cannot allow continued burnout and disregard for members serving in the offices not appointed by the Public Service Commission who are asked by the department in some cases to work in these offices and denied the proper salary and benefits in some cases. In most cases these vacancies existed, as reported, for years. The union made every attempt including legal action, consultative meetings, trade disputes, industrial action all pleading on behalf of the students, teachers and members of BEMU,” McPhee said.

Education minister, the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin has said that seven public schools are currently without principals. She said four persons have been identified and will be deployed.