The Board of Directors of Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) wishes to clarify recent claims by members of the Bahamas Union of Auxiliary Professionals in Education (BUAPE) and the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB) regarding alleged “withholding” and “denial” of annual increments and other employee benefits by BTVI President, Dr. Linda A. Davis.

Contrary to these assertions, under BTVI’s established governance structure, as President, Dr. Davis does not possess unilateral authority to withhold, delay or deny disbursement of any employee benefits. All compensation-related decisions lie strictly within the purview of the institution’s Board of Directors, which is responsible for the implementation of institutional policies and procedures through its Executive leadership. Further, the Board wishes to advise that financial commitments are to be made by the Board in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.

All staff and faculty who are duly owed benefits under established policies will be compensated.

Finally, the Board wishes to clarify that the assessment of professional qualifications are made by the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas (NAECOB), a statutory national accreditation body, and not the Board or the President of BTVI or any other executive.

The Board of Directors remains committed to preserving the integrity of the institution’s governance structure, while ensuring due financial process takes place in all employment matters and in upholding its fiduciary obligations.