Bahamas government defends policy to fingerprint foreign teachers

The Bahamas government has defended its policy of fingerprinting foreign teachers saying it is necessary to ensure that people who interact with students do not have a criminal past.



The Bahamas Union of Teachers said it was very concerned over the practice and that expatriate teachers were being threatened with job losses if they did not conform to the instructions.



The union said that over the past two weeks it had sought unsuccessfully to discuss the matter with the Ministry and Department of Education, Ministry and Department of Labour and the Department of Public Service.



However, in a statement, Education Science and Technology Minister, Jerome K. Fitzgerald, defended the policy.



He said he would not entertain any compromise when it came to protecting the country's children and making decisions which are in their best interest.



He said everyone who is responsible for children on school campuses are required to be properly and rigorously vetted by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. 



FOR MORE STORIES WATCH

Like our new Facebook page:

Gleaner Jamaica



Follow us on Twitter:

@JamaicaGleaner



Email: onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com