In a significant policy reversal, educator Ann-Marie Ballantyne has resumed her teaching position at St. Vincent Grammar School after being terminated under the previous administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The French and Spanish teacher returned to her classroom on Friday, merely three days after expressing her interest in reinstatement to school authorities.
The development follows the November 27 general election victory of the New Democratic Party (NDP), which had campaigned on reinstating public sector workers affected by the controversial vaccine requirement. Prime Minister Godwin Friday had previously committed to restoring these positions within 60 days of assuming office.
Ballantyne’s reinstatement process began when she visited the school on Tuesday following public statements by the new Prime Minister indicating the government’s intention to honor its campaign promise. After meeting with the deputy principal, she received confirmation on Thursday from a senior education officer instructing her to return to work.
The teacher described being issued a resumption card and reintroduced to staff members, though she noted the absence of formal reinstatement documentation. Ballantyne expressed excitement about returning to the profession, particularly noting the symbolic importance of correcting what she characterized as ‘injustice’ against workers.
This case occurs against a complex legal backdrop. In March 2023, the High Court had ruled the terminations illegal and unconstitutional, a decision subsequently overturned by the Court of Appeal in February 2025. The matter currently awaits consideration by the Privy Council, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ highest court.
While Ballantyne has successfully returned to her position, her husband Shefflorn Ballantyne, a college lecturer similarly affected by the mandate, awaits communication regarding his reinstatement. The educator advised other affected workers to patiently register their interest directly with former workplaces, noting that the process might proceed gradually across different government sectors.