1. What are the duties of a teacher?

A Teacher in a public school shall, subject to the Act and the regulations:

1. follow the directions of the Principal of the school and carry out the duties assigned or delegated to by him;
2. provide the pupils under his care with appropriate instruction and learning experiences during the school day;
3. draw up an individual plan of work based on the schemes of work for the school;
4. make adequate preparation for each day's work for his several classes and teach such subjects on the school's timetables as are assigned to him and make use to the officially approved textbooks;
5. give undivided attention to this duties during school hours;
6. maintain proper order and discipline among the pupils under his care;
7. be on duty for the school day and take part in playground supervision and other school related activities;
8. assist in promoting the welfare and well being of the pupils and fostering their social and moral development; attend staff meetings;
9. attend staff meetings;
10. keep a record of the daily attendance of pupils and inquire into the cause of lateness and report them to the Principal;
11. keep an inventory of equipment and supplies entrusted to this care and ensure that the equipment and supplies are properly used.

2. What are the duties of the Principal?

Every principal must determine the programme of each pupil after consultation with:

1. the teachers; and
2. the parents or guardian of the pupil where it is expedient to do so.

Every principal must examine the pupils in the subjects of instruction and in the manner prescribed in regulation 44(1) and (2).

Subject to the policy of the minister and the general directions of the Board, every principal:

1. has control of the building, premises, apparatus, equipment and furniture of the school;
2. must allocate duties to staff; and
3. is responsible for the discipline of the school.

Every principal in public schools shall subject to the Act and these regulations

1. supervise the teachers of his school;
2. prepare in consultation with the teachers, a scheme of work, based on the official curriculum, suited to the needs of the pupils;
3. prepare the timetable for the school and organise the school in accordance with the timetables;
4. make the timetables available to pupils, teachers, education officers and any other person acting under the authority of the Ministry;
5. provide leadership in the improvement of the educational programme and render guidance and advise to teachers;
6. allocate duties among the teachers in order to make the best use of the special aptitudes of each teacher;
7. take necessary steps to ensure that pupils make satisfactory progress in all parts of the curriculum;
8. register pupils, classifying them according to their course of study, record their progress through the school and submit periodic reports on the pupils' progress to their parents;
9. ensure that discipline is maintained throughout the school at all times;
10. administer corporal punishment when necessary and delegate to the deputy principal and senior teachers, where applicable the authority to administer corporal punishment;
11. hold at least one staff meeting every school term and keep a record of the business transacted at the meeting;
12. exercise reasonable care to ensure the physical safety of pupils during any period of school activity, including any period of recess;
13. ensure that the school premises are clean and well kept;
14. report annually, or at such other times as the Chief education Officer determines, on the performance of teachers;
15. take all necessary steps to ensure co-operation with parents, parent-teacher associations and other related bodies;
16. supervise the non-teaching staff of the school;
17. ensure that the attendance of pupils at school is duly recorded in the attendance register provided for the purpose;
18. make annual reports on the state of the school premises; and
19. forward correspondence from staff without delay to the appropriate person

3. What are the duties of a Senior Teacher?

A senior teacher in a Primary or Composite School is, in addition to his duties as a teacher responsible for the following

1. deputising for the principal in his absence;
2. assisting the principal in administering the affairs of the school;
3. assisting the principal with discipline of pupils
4. supervising a year group or a Department as necessary; and
5. giving professional guidance to teachers;
6. liaising between the principal and staff as necessary ;and
7. working in close contact with the principal and assisting with any other organizational and administrative duties the principals may assign.

4. What are the duties of the Informal Subject Coordinator?

A Subject Leader in a Primary School is, in addition to his normal teaching duties, responsible for the following;

1. drawing up of syllabuses and ongoing development of the curriculum in respect of each subject falling within his/her department;
2. advising the principal on the choice of textbooks and other educational material and equipment;
3. arranging and conducting meetings for discussion of topics related to the teaching of subjects;
4. advising on the choice and development of methods of teaching the subjects of his department;
5. advising the principal on matters relating to his subject areas and undertaking such other relevant duties as the principal may require
6. leading professional development sessions
7. mentoring inexperienced teachers
8. advising on methodologies to be used.

5. What is the Parent Volunteer Support Programme?

The Parent Volunteer Support Programme is a three-phased project designed to implement Barbados' Government Policy statements in the White Paper on Education Reform.

The programme is designed to secure the assistance of parents/guardians of a pupil of the school on a voluntary basis to support an appropriate nursery programme in public infant and primary school.

6. Who can become a parent volunteer?

Parents/Guardians who:

• have been selected by the Principal of the school in collaboration with the teacher, the local P.T.A. and the National Council of Parent-Teacher Association;
• have a child enrolled at the school and who willingly volunteer their time for a maximum period of four (4) years. (Volunteers, however, are free to stop giving assistance at anytime during that period).
• express genuine concern to share responsibility for nurturing the children;
• are reliable, dependable and receptive to guidance by the school's Principal and teachers;
• enjoy working with young children and exhibit a high degree of tolerance and patience;
• exhibit a relatively good command of standard English in oral communication for every day interaction with the children;
• are friendly, courteous and energetic;
• are willing to give unsparingly of their time on a regular and consistent basis.

7. What is the Volunteer's role?

The role of the volunteer is to:

• Provide support for the nursery class teacher in promoting appropriate practice for early childhood education.
• Give assistance in the nursery class in the following general areas:
  • Interacting with the children,
  • Helping the class teacher with indoor/outdoor activities,' Assisting with toiletting and dressing the students,
  • Encourage good habits and values,
  • Assisting the teacher with compiling portfolios for children's assessment.

8. What will the Education Officers inspect during an official handing over of a school?

1. School Account (Government Wages Account) at Barbados National Bank
   (a) Date of last statement
   (b) Account number
   (c) Balance on account
   
2. Cash Grants (Handicraft, Science, Art & Craft, etc.)
   
3. School Funds (raised by sales, sponsored walks, etc.)
   (a) Date of last statement
   (b) Bank and account number
   (c) Balance of account
   (d) Cash in hand
   
4. Pay sheet to ensure that ancillary staff have been paid wages
   
5. Latest certificate (receipt) from the National Insurance Scheme to ensure that payments of contributions are up to date.
   
1. Ensure that the following reports have been issued:
   
   (j) Termly reports on school (statistics)
   (ii) Termly reports on staff
   (iii) Termly reports on pupils
   
2. Check the following Userfiles/File/official records to ensure that they are in proper
   use and up to date:
   
   (i) Registers: Admission of pupils, Attendance of pupils, Pupils, leaving, Attendance of staff
   (ii) Curricula/Schemes of Work - Scheme Books
   (iii) Staff minute book
   (iv) Inventories: Furniture, Books, Equipment
   (v) PTA constitution
   (vi) Attainment Targets
   
3. Check the condition of equipment:
   Tape recorder(s), language master, VCR, televison set, computer(s), CERO equipment, kit, booklet, etc.
   
4. Locate all keys to building.
   

9. Before going on an overseas tour what information should schools submit?

• Name of School
• Name and post/position of tour leader
• Names and ages of pupils proceeding on the tour
• Parent approval form (sample)
• Names of adults/teachers on tour
• Assurance of adequate insurance coverage
• Travel Arrangements:
  Flight Number
  Carrier
  Date of departure
  Time of arrival (at destination)
  Date of departure (from destination)
  Time of departure
  Time of arrival (in Barbados)
  
• Accommodation:
  Name of Hotel/Guest House
  Number of persons occupying one room
  
• Place to be visited/Purpose of visit to places.
• Ground transportation.
• Proposed cost of tour per person.
• How do you propose to finance the tour?