The BNTU is yet to sign a CBA after 14 long years

 The BNTU says that after 14 years of negotiating with two governments, they are still not able to close their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The National President of the BNTU, Elena Smith, explained that there are several issues that need to be resolved before the CBA is signed. She says that one aspect is the fact that Secondary School Teachers are not being provided with commuting and hardship allowances. And, according to Smith, there is simply no reason why the government is refusing to provide secondary school teachers from rural communities with the necessary allowances. 

Given that the Ministry of Education’s CEO and Chief Education Officer are both former educators, Smith was asked if she feels the ministry is not taking into account the hardships of teachers.