So, is the Government concerned about provoking the teachers into more drastic action? These temporary replacements, in theory allows for the Ministry to keep the schools open, and it very deliberately undermines the leverage that the BNTU had with the strike – what the Prime Minister called “holding parents to ransom.â€￾

So, we wondered if the Minister has considered that the teachers may feel compelled to match and exceed government’s strategy with their own equally drastic plan of action. Here’s how he answered that one:

Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education
"I am not trying to pick a fight; I'm merely trying to do what is required of me, as I’m obliged to do under the responsibilities that have been task to me as Minister of Education. I really hope we don't have to have to get to any point of employing replacement teachers; I really would love to see that people turn to work on Monday and that they give the government its due opportunity to fix issues. I think it is clear in all the 8 demands made that there is movement to try to resolve these issues. If it was that people were trying to send a signal in last Monday's rally and demonstration that we are serious about you doing something; message well received. And if it is they even need another day and are willing to take the repercussions then take Monday. In fact our plan says we will try to put replacement teachers by Wednesday and so we are even giving a few days but beyond that I'm telling you we will have to act and act responsibly; however much people will interpret that to mean me picking a fight or the government wanting confrontation or trying to displace people out their jobs - that is choice they are making."

"If the government was doing nothing then that is another issue. The unions in particular the BNTU in their response to the prime minister after the Thursday meeting, their letter to him on the Friday if you look at how they classify the 8 things there is not an item as far as I recall where they say nothing is being done on this issue - you check it. Every issue and you might argue with the percentage of or level at which any of those items are dealt with but nobody can say that none of them....the prime minister has said I'm doing absolutely nothing, I'm not responding."

Daniel Ortiz
"The cosmetic changes..."

Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education
"Sorry?"

Daniel Ortiz
"But cosmetic changes aren't real changes sir."

Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education
"Well you are calling them cosmetic, not everybody agrees with what you are saying. And much of what is being said in terms of the prime minister's position is being done not only by the government but in consultation with partners. And this is the point the prime minister makes you know, so when you say that they are cosmetic you are insulting the intelligence of the chamber who the prime minister has engaged with. You are insulting the intelligence of the other unions who the prime minister has sought their support, you are insulting the intelligence of the churches, so I wouldn't call them cosmetic."

"Is it that we should allow the BNTU to high jack the government? Was it not that we were elected to do a job?"

Micah Goodin - Krem
"Is this administration fearful that the BNTU might just topple the government?"

Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education
"(Laugh...) that’s a loaded question and I like your passion in expressing your point. Listen we are not confused about who is the government you know and who is put here by the people to govern."

Faber told us that the teachers will be paid for last week Monday, which they missed to participate in that demonstration. They will not be paid for next week Monday’s strike, and if it continues past Tuesday, on Wednesday, those temporary teachers will be deployed.