Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin is adamant that reports that Cuban teachers recently brought into the country don't speak English are inaccurate and that the challenge may have more to do with Cuban teachers understanding the Bahamian accent, and Bahamian students understanding the Cuban accent.

Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson said she received complaints that some of the new Cuban teachers have issues speaking English.

The Ministry of Education said it will launch an investigation into the claims.

However, Hanna-Martin said those teachers were interviewed in English and they took written exams before being hired.

"We have our accents and we speak quickly I'm told, I didn't notice it," Hanna-Martin told reporters when asked for an update on the issue yesterday.

"We are confident that there will not be continuing barriers, and if there are, then we will do what we have to do. We want to educate our children. But we are grateful to the Republic of Cuba, [which] has collaborated with us in ensuring that we can meet these deficits ...

"The other thing I want to say is that the panel that selected these teachers did not have translators. The interviews were done in English. They also took written exams. And the panel included the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Public Service ... and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"If despite our best efforts, if there were any issues, we will work to iron them out. We want it to work. We want it to work. We don't want our efforts for our children not to work. And so, all stakeholders, I invite to come onboard and cooperate in the interests of the children this nation."

Hanna-Martin defended the hiring of the Cuban teachers, pointing out that they are contributing in needed areas such as special education and technical and vocational areas.

"This relationship with Cuba goes back two decades; it's not new," she said.

"What I've been advised is that in each new school year, there is an adjustment period on both sides that allows for an accommodation in terms of communications.

"The Cuban teachers, from what I've been advised, have provided an invaluable input to education, and in fact, in this year, they've allowed us to extend access to special education for children who have been falling between the cracks.

"We're now being able to put them in islands that were never heretofore serviced with special ed teachers. The other area that they've brought to the table is technical and vocational. So, for example, we have a technical and vocational teacher in Acklins. And they have not seen that for a little while and throughout the country."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian