Queen's School quarrel

Board members quit as Church insists next principal must be Anglican

BY INGRID BROWN Observer senior reporter browni@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, May 03, 2010

SOME board members of The Queen's School have resigned over what they said was a decision by the Anglican Church-run school to pass up the current acting principal for the post of head teacher in favour of another candidate who is a member of the denomination.

A reliable Observer source said members of the board were forced to resign after their recommendation that the current acting principal be appointed was not accepted.

The woman, who has been acting as principal for the past two years, was said to be the board's choice for the position, but that was shot down by the Anglican Diocese which wants to offer the job to someone who is an Anglican.

The source explained further that although the acting principal -- who has been at the school for more than 10 years as vice-principal -- topped the list of candidates interviewed, the position is being given to someone who was ranked third.

"She applied for the post, which she is qualified for, and which she has been acting in for two years, but because she is not an Anglican that is the reason for denying her the appointment," the source said.

According to the source, the church has already informed the Ministry of Education of its recommendation.

"I really wonder how being a member of the Anglican Church should be a criteria over someone's qualifications for a job?" the source questioned.

When contacted, the chairman of the school board would neither confirm nor deny the allegations. He, however, admitted that there were some management concerns.

"All that I am prepared to say is that there is a matter of concern as it relates to external management input of the school," he told the Observer.

He explained further that The Queen's is a denominational school and, as such, the board is accountable to the Anglican Diocese. "The board has its obligations, not to the ministry, but to the denomination," he said.

Attempts to get a response from the current principal were unsuccessful.

When the Observer sought a comment from board member Tanny Shirley, he declined to elaborate on the situation. However, he admitted that some members of the board had indicated their intention to resign, with at least one other already doing so.

Asked if there was truth to the reports that the current acting principal was being passed up because she was not an Anglican, Shirley said, "I don't want to speak about that at this point because I am supposed to be speaking with Bishop Reid from the Diocese on Monday."

An active member of the Parent/Teachers' Association, who spoke with the Observer, said they would be awaiting a formal response from the board chairman before deciding how to proceed.

"The current principal replaced Jennifer Keane-Dawes, who passed away two years ago, and she has been doing a great job, and so I don't believe she should be judged on her religious affiliation but on her performance," said the PTA member.

"At the end of the day, the issue can't be about who is Anglican and who is not... the emphasis must be placed on what is best for our children, and we will be ensuring that this is done," she added.

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COMMENTS (18)

ugli man
9/7/2010

I agree with one of the posters; if the school is funded by the government, wholly or in part, then the denomination of the applicants SHOULD NOT play any role in choosing a principal, for the same reason why a persons race, gender, or political persuasion should not be considered, i.e. it is discriminatory. I hope that the affected parties will be able to take legal action against the authorities who are responsible for this.

Confirmed Member
5/3/2010

I cannot see the fuss. The world is able to see that the Queen's School is not properly ran. It begs to have someone of strength , character and intellect to be at its helm. The argument about a push for or favour toward Anglicanism, is but a case of 'sour grapes'. The distress which abounds particularly represents the interest of the few who suspect themselves to be soon disenfranchised. He who had been up for consideration knows that they failed the test miserably.

Kay Brown
5/3/2010

This is just stupid knowing that a person's denomination determines the position they will hold knowing that they are capable of the job.
and by the way If you are going to report please report facts the past principal was Mrs Yvonne Keane-Dawes that passed away about 2 years ago not Mrs Needham Brown

Native Jamaican
5/3/2010

Let's not be judgemental before the new principal is even announced. I believe the standard of Queen's High School has declined tremendously over the years. If the church insists that the new principal be affiliated with the Anglican Church, maybe that's what the school really needs. Who remember in the early eighties when the standard of Queen's High was up there with Campion and Immaculate. Where is Queen's High School today? I believe it's time for change. Why wait tomorrow or next week, let's make a change for new principal, standards and reputation now! Let's support and embrace the new principal to come.

Nina Nais
5/3/2010

Chris Gray,
If being Anglican is a requirement for being the Principal:
1) It should be clearly set out in any advertisement for the position.
2) the applications of Non-Anglicans should not have been accepted.
3) Non-Anglicans should not have been interviewed.
None of this took place. It is insensitive and perhaps illegal to accept a persons' application and interview them, then reject them for a characteristic that has been known to the relevant powers for years.
Plus, since Queens is partly publicly funded, it doesnt have absolute discretion in applying discriminatory hiring standards. If it were completely private, then it could do what it wants. I wonder if you would be singing the same tune if the target of discrimination were different? Would you say: "Well, if being white is one of the characteristics to be considered a Head Teacher, then what is the fuss about?" We both know that it was not so long ago that this was the case in Jamaica. Until ppl changed it.

suzanne anderson
5/3/2010

What has happened at the Queens School is not something new. If the some Board members have something against it and resigned, let them ... they are not indispensable. If there are staff members who want to resign ... let them leave as well.
It is important that the school stands by its bylaws.
There are no perfect Principal as there will always be others persons better than him/her. The issue here is not to compare yourself with others, but to work on one's weaknesses, to give 100% to improve one's abilities, and to focus on the development of others.
We're glad for the input of the previous acting Principal, I hope she continues to assist in the building of the Queens school.
Now that the Board has chosen, it's best to respect their choice and to work along with them for the betterment of the school. Division will get you nowhere.

Gene Ross
5/3/2010

This situation is ridiculous, contrary to the modern management, where it's the individual best able to manage that is selected to manage..
The acting principal of Queens HS has been acting with a high level of performance for 2 years. Her application for position of Principal was accepted, and she was interviewed and she came put on top. This is a fact.
Why, if the basic criteria for being principal was being an Anglican, was she interviewed?
Queens or any other public or private organization, should have the chief administrator who has the best potential to perform and lead. This is irrespective of the individual's race, gender, religion or age.
Jamaica functions like a college fraternity, where fraternity members only look out for fellow fraternity ,members. The JLP government looks out for JLP members, Adventists look out for Adventists, Anglicans for Anglicans, etc.
If the acting-principal topped the candidates, it is logical and moral that she be appointed principal.

Mark Francis
5/3/2010

@ Beresford Davidson....
I hope when your child is told he or she is not suitable for a job even though he/she is overly-qualified but not an Anglican you will also understand & take the same stance.
I guess when you become a Seventh Day Adventist or Rastafarian you will truly understand the discrimination that takes place in the Jamaican society.
The school was well aware of the acting principals christian (non-Anglican) religion, so why then ask her to act knowing you will never give/consider her for the job. Does that seem CHRISTIAN to you.

Chris Gray
5/3/2010

I just cannot understand the mindset of the people. If being an Anglican is one of the requirements to be considered a Head Teacher, then what is the fuss about.
It doesn't matter whether this woman has been performing admirably in her role of 'acting principal'. Being acting principal does not guarantee the promotion to Head Teacher.
If the Board in not in agreement with the Anglican Diocese, then they should resign and allow for a new Board that will operate within the parameters of the Angilcan Diocese. This 'acting principal' should also be free to move on, if she so desires.
This mayhem is totally unnecessary and sets a poor example for the young people they are attempting to lead.

Omar J
5/3/2010

Yes Beres the Anglican approach to education goes all the way back to over a thousand years after Christ' birth. That's authority and power and wisdom and knowledge all packaged in their institutions. The same system that encourage Homosexuality by the US Anglican Diocese ordaining a lesbian Priest recently.

pete delisser
5/3/2010

my heart bleeds for jca sometimes. I read these news, and wonder which century/era are we living in. Sometimes I feel many in position of authority & influence, are so backward, its really not even funny.

Marlon J
5/3/2010

The currnet principal is one of the most devoted persons you will find in the system today. With her qualifications, private sector would be eager to have her but she CHOOSES to serve her students and put them first out of a passion & love she has for Education and the Jamaica's young minds! She did not get a break it was her choice to dedicate over 30 years to Education. It is a pity that within the Church politics abound. She is from a different denomination but she is a devout Christian! The principal can run the school on christian principles and still demonstrate sensitivity to the Anglican way of doing things.

Brooklyn Jamaican
5/3/2010

I suspect anyway that there is misinformation. After all there has been no independent confirmation, and the story is filled with innuendo, rumor, and unconfirmed hearsay.
At the end of the day I guess its OK to hire who they want to hire, provided the rules are known beforehand.
While it stings, the title of acting is so called for a reason. It is a bad tease that has lead to many a disappointment.

tina chambers
5/3/2010

r all the children that goes to the school Anglicans..lets keep this civil, what does it matter if the principal is Anglican r not ...let just get the best person to do the job ....

Beresford Davidson
5/3/2010

The Anglican Church is an excellent education and religious organization. That principal is a good person, but maybe she did not get it that the Anglican approach to education goes all the way back to over a thousand years after Christ' birth. That's authority and power and wisdom and knowledge all packaged in their institutions. She must be thankful she got a break to show her talent as a teacher. She should continue to work with the institution and work with the program. If the board resign so be it; elect a new board that will work with the new principal.

Anthony II
5/3/2010

Is The Queen's School a private school or a school that is funded by taxpayers' money? I think I know the answer to that question. If it is a private religious school, it can do whatever it wants. An institution that is funded by Jamaican taxpayers' money cannot dictate that it wants someone of a particular religious denomination to be principal. That is discrimination and needs to be nipped in the bud. Someone needs to challenge this in the courts to ensure that these kinds of things do not become the norm.

Cherry Black
5/3/2010

Most snobbish, don't you think? This mirrors the work of the government. If you are not of the same political ilk, you are summarily dismissed, or asked to step aside in favor of one of their own. Poor Jamaica.

Brooklyn Jamaican
5/3/2010

Drama everywhere everyday. Then if a sug di ting set, why allow non Anglicans to apply in the first case?

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Queen's School quarrel