A conversation with the relevant authorities concerning the reinstatement of teachers who have not reached retirement age and have unsuccessfully contested the 2020 General Election will be held.
This announcement was made by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves at his swearing ceremony on Saturday 7th November.
According to SVG’S Constitution, public officers cannot contest general elections, they must resign from their posts as public officers to be able to legally contest general elections.
Gonsalves said that the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement were “aspirational” as the Constitution is the highest law of the land and it is clear on the matter.
“The reinstatement of teachers is not one for the Cabinet,” Gonsalves said.
“I will hold a conversation with Chairman of the Public Service Commission to indicate to him that despite the fact that they have all [resigned] that if his office and that of the Chief Personnel Officer can work alongside with the relevant departments… to see whether all of those teachers who are not yet of retirement age, if they wish to return into the public service, into the teaching service” that they can do so.
Gonsalves said that those individuals would have to indicate, formally, to the Public Service Commission, their interest in being reinstated and that he – Prime Minister Gonsalves will be copied on the request when it is sent to Cabinet. He said that at that time, he would hold a conversation with the Chairman of the Public Service Commission.
He said that if the Public Service Commission thinks that it is proper for the request to be effected, then it will be effected.
