Nov 16 - GTA/NASUWT Never Discussed “Mega School” Proposal With GSD
The GTA/NASUWT says it is “saddened” by the press statement issued by the GSD on Thursday 12th November where, according to the union, the veracity of a tweet made on Tuesday 10th November with regards to a ‘mega’ school is put into question.
The GTA/NASUWT says it takes great pride in being non-partisan when it comes to politics as well as enjoying a good personal and working relationship with members of both political parties contesting this election. The union says it also represents members on both sides of the political divide.
A statement continued: “The GTA/NASUWT cannot however allow any questions being raised over the integrity and honesty of its full Executive whose members were present at a meeting held at the GSD’s request and where minutes or a record of events were taken.
“In an effort to put the record straight and lay the matter to rest the GTA/NASUWT will expand on the nature of the tweet and our recollection and interpretation of the facts:
- In the first instance the meeting between the GTA and the GSD was dedicated in its entirety to the GTA’s wish list which was published the day after said meeting.
- Mr Reyes, who was the author of the tweets leading up to the one and only GTA tweet on the issue, was not present at that gathering.
- No manifesto policies by the GSD were discussed given that the GSD manifesto was a week away from being published. This was however not the reason for not discussing GSD policies, it was an attempt to get items on the GTA wish list on both the GSD and GSLPs’ discourses on Education.
- The only mention of ‘the Rooke site’ at the meeting was made en passant in reference to an in depth discussion on the GTA’s ideological model for vocational and apprenticeship training.
- The words ‘Mega School ’are in relation to the information that the GTA had at the time of the tweet from both Mr Phillip’s TV debate, Mr Reyes’ tweets and Party Political Broadcasts from the GSD.
- The GTA has not once been engaged officially by the GSD to discuss a mega school or any Rooke site project.
- The concept that by the GTA not rejecting in a meeting a GSD policy which was placed a year and a half ago when the item has never been brought up for discussion, being the foundation or an understanding of agreement and consultation, is at the very least bemusing.
- The GTA/NASUWT still remains opposed to the principle of a mega school. This should not be confused with the GTA having a position on co-education.
“It is disappointing to see that the GTA/NASUWT as a union has been dragged into the party political arena when our single intent was in stating the facts to our members in an effort to be transparent and accountable. We suffer no acrimony or resentment towards the GSD on what seems to be a misunderstanding on their part. The GTA/NASUWT considers the matter closed and will not comment on the points arising from this press release in the future.”
{fcomment}
