Many of this country’s primary school teachers are keen to return to face to face classes as soon as it’s possible as they complain of being burnt out and frustrated by the challenges of teaching younger children online.

This has been disclosed by President of the Barbados Union of Teachers, Pedro Shepherd, speaking to Starcom Network News ahead of an online meeting of his membership this afternoon to discuss a number of issues, especially the proposed resumption of face to face classes, arrangements for the common entrance and CXC exams and  the vaccination of teachers.

Mr. Shepherd says the challenge for teachers is compounded by the fact they have to simultaneously teach while managing their own children and what other issues arise in their own home environment.

But at the same time the union and its members need to be comfortable that there are appropriate measures in place to mitigate the risks of face to face.

Mr. Shepherd says there is such strong feeling on these matters that he expects most of his 16-hundred plus members to participate in the meeting that starts at 4pm via zoom.