Reshma Mangre, chairwoman of the BvL and the ALS, condemned the statements that Education, Science and Culture Minister Henry Ori made about her. The minister of Education recently stated that Mangre has a problem with herself. He made this controversial statement after the union chairwoman had criticized the plans to launch summer schools in order to close the education gaps. Mangre who is also a legislator, hit back at the minister by accusing him of being arrogant. She explained that she criticized the plans to launch summer schools to express the feelings of the union members. “I express the opinions of the nation’s teachers,” said Mangre who also accused the minister of being unfriendly towards women especially given the manner in which he discussed her in the media. She claimed that the minister’s behaviour is nothing new and she even suggested that “the minister is suffering from dementia.” Mangre made it clear that each minister is expected to involve the unions in the decision-making, especially when decisions that will have huge consequences must be made. Minister Ori made it clear that the decision to launch the summer school program has already been made and that the ministry does not have to ask the unions for permissions. He pointed out that teachers are not obligated to participate in the project, but that they are free to volunteer to support the project. Mangre pointed out that her criticism was not aimed at opposing the project, but that it was aimed at making sure that the teachers who volunteer receive extra payment. Meanwhile the top executives of the VHP have made it clear that they are not happy about the spat between the minister and the union chairwoman who are both members of this political party. The VHP has asked both people to stay calm and to stop making statements about each other…[+]