Teachers have had to resort to using their own money to buy classroom supplies, and endure working in extreme heat, cold and damp. Recently many were expected to work an entire month gratuitously. These are some examples of why people do not enter the teaching profession locally according to the head of the teacher's union.

Increased wages and an improved work environment, according to the secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT), would be a better method of attracting locals into the industry.

Michael Charles, secretary of the BUT called for an end to "lip service'' on the issue of higher salaries. "So far there has been only lip service.

Teachers have not seen it reflected in compensation.'' he said. "Teachers are called on to do more and more for less and less.'' Illustrating his contention, Mr. Charles noted that Information Technology teachers were expected to attend a workshop this month, and were offered no compensation.

"They were expected to give up their entire month of July and to do it gratis.'' Mr. Charles pointed out. "It makes people think twice about being in the profession.'' Mr. Charles' comments come after Education Minister Milton Scott revealed his plans to attract local males into teaching.

Pay, conditions must improve for teachers The initiative sees locals with a college degree but no educator qualifications, hired, coached and assisted. Those in the programme have three years in which to become certified in teacher training.

While the primary use of the programme is to entice males into the teaching profession, females are not exempt from it.

Mr. Charles noting, "It should be clear that this is for all teachers.'' But a relaxation of teaching certification, is not the best route for attracting new teachers in Mr. Charles' view. "There are other, better ways of making teaching more attractive, rather than making it easier to get in.'' he said.

"Just like any other job, pay and conditions need to better.'' he noted.

Mr. Charles also took issue with the Minister's recent comments that school principals and teachers will be held more accountable. "I hope that this accountability is across the board.'' he said.

"I would hope that the Ministry will ensure teachers have adequate supplies.

Teachers often have to pay out of their own pocket for supplies for their classrooms.

"If we were to survey primary school teachers in particular, we would find that most all of them have to spend their own money to make their classrooms more attractive.'' Mr. Charles charged.

Mr. Charles also feels it a necessity that classrooms be clean and comfortable for teachers and students.

"Classrooms in all schools need to be climate controlled.'' he said. "It is very difficult to teach in 90 degree heat and also in the cold and damp in the winter.'' "We need for the schools to be clean, and ready for September.'' he added, "I know it is a new Government but we need to ensure that that takes place.''