Proper job descriptions for teaching assistants have been signed off by the Department of Education.

The Bermuda Union of Teachers said it hoped the move would lead to salary increases for classroom assistants and educational therapy assistants.

A union spokesman said yesterday: “All parties signed off on the job descriptions on Wednesday.”

The BUT spent 20 years on a campaign for the job descriptions to be adopted before an agreement was reached last month.

The BUT spokesman said: “Our discussions with the Department of Education have finally borne fruit, and we are optimistic that this group of often-overlooked educators will, at long last, get the acknowledgement, respect, and compensation they deserve.”

The BUT praised union executive member Joezine Butterfield, who has been “in the trenches fighting for paraeducators and ETAs for many, many years”.

The spokesman said: “We now look forward to this long-suffering group being furnished with a salary increase as per management services.

“We’d also like to acknowledge the positive work put in during this joint effort between the BUT and the Department of Education.

“This illustrates, in vivid colour, that collaboration and commitment is possible, going forward.”