Azille Defends Teachers’ Industrial Action at Pares Secondary School

Former teachers’ union president and UPP candidate for St John’s Rural East, Ashworth Azille, has voiced strong support for the teachers at Pares Secondary School who recently staged industrial action.

Speaking at a UPP rally in Paynters last night, Azille described the action as a “necessary stand” against long-standing issues in the school system, including unsafe conditions and government neglect.

Azille, who has decades of experience as an educator, highlighted the dire situation faced by teachers and students at the school. He detailed ongoing issues such as inadequate security, a lack of proper maintenance, and infestations of bats and rodents. “Teachers and students are expected to perform in conditions that are simply unacceptable,” he said, adding that the health and safety of educators and students have been consistently overlooked.

According to Azille, the concerns raised by the teachers are not new. “These issues date back years,” he said. “They’ve been raised repeatedly, yet nothing is done until a crisis emerges.” He pointed to the immediate deployment of heavy equipment to the school following the teachers’ protest as evidence of the government’s reactive, rather than proactive, approach.

Azille criticised the government’s failure to secure the school, noting that intruders have been able to access the compound and attack students. He questioned how educators and pupils are expected to feel safe in such an environment. “Bringing a low fence and calling it security is an insult,” he said.

The former union leader also expressed concern about the potential health risks posed by the infestations at the school, saying that teachers and students are not only exposed to unsafe conditions at work but risk carrying those issues home to their families. “This is not just about education; it’s about health and dignity,” he said.

Azille defended the teachers against critics who have questioned their decision to take industrial action. “No teacher takes this step lightly,” he said. “But when repeated calls for action are ignored, sometimes standing up becomes the only option.” He commended the teachers for prioritising the well-being of students and staff, describing their actions as a stand for the nation’s children.

He called for greater respect for educators, urging the government to address these long-standing problems with urgency and seriousness. “Teachers are not asking for luxuries; they’re asking for basic, decent conditions to do their jobs,” he said.

Azille framed the Pares Secondary School protests as emblematic of broader issues within Antigua and Barbuda’s education system. He urged the government to take a more strategic and consistent approach to maintaining schools and supporting educators.

“This is not an isolated incident,” he said. “It reflects a deeper systemic failure. Fixing fences and clearing out bats after protests won’t cut it. We need lasting solutions.”

As the rally continued, Azille called on voters to send a message of accountability by supporting UPP candidate George Wenner in the upcoming by-election for St Peter. “The teachers have done their part by standing up. Now it’s time for all of us to stand with them,” he said.

The by-election is set to take place on 14 January 2025.

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