$50 school late fee quashed
I recently listened to a Nationwide radio clip that highlighted an interview with Minister of Education Senator Ruel Reid conducted by Cliff Hughes.
The interview focused on the minister's decision to terminate an initiative taken by the principal of St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and endorsed by the school's board and parent-teacher association.
In an attempt to reverse the chronic problem of students arriving late for school, a $50 fine (or detention) was imposed by Principal Simpson, who took charge of the school earlier this year. The minister's position was effectively that the fine was unlawful because the Education Act entrusted such powers only to the minister, and therefore the principal had overstepped his pauthority.
On the face of it, the minister was well within his authority to require the principal to cease and desist with the imposition of the fine.
I am curious, though, whether the minister's decision was his only option. Given the reported success rate reported by the principal, could the minister have given the programme the imprimatur of his office?
The fact is, the minister has known of the dire straits STATHS has been in for well over a year. The national inspectorate report of early 2016 painted a very dismal picture marked by widespread underachievement. Given that accountability travels in both directions, what has the minister done in terms of providing intervention strategies to assist the school? What were the added resources provided to the principal and staff to wipe away the scourge of underachievement?
Affectionately known by those of us who attended as the “Oasis in the Desert”, STATHS has a very proud history of producing highly successful citizens who have contributed to the multisectoral advancement of our country. Unfortunately, since the passing of S W Isaac-Henry the school has not been as successful.
Now that the institution has a principal of the mould of an Isaac-Henry he will need all the support.
Minister Reid should understands that STATHS, established 1961, unlike a Jamaica College (established 1789), does not have an alumni base with collective deep pockets and political influence to undergird institutional reform and development, so creative means have to be found.
I urge the STATHS team, including alumni, to continue the process of change under the mantra of the school's motto: Honour, Diligence, and Service.
Richard Kitson-Walters
richardkitsonwalters@gmail.com
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