HANOVER, Jamaica – Uncertainty surrounds the operation of the Hopewell High School in Hanover as the majority of teachers reportedly stayed off the job on Friday.

Observer Online understands that about 10 teachers showed up for work.

A teacher, who spoke with Observer Online and requested anonymity, said Byron Grant,  the school’s principal, only returned to work Friday from a “long leave.”

Grant was taken in custody hours following the murder of the institution’s bursar last December.

On December 20, Jermaine Roberts, 35, was reportedly shot by a gunman as he was about to drive off the school’s compound.

Grant, who was on the outside of the facility at the time of the incident, reportedly smashed into a glass door and sustained injuries in a bid to escape. He was taken to a medical institution for treatment.

However, the police took Grant into custody hours after the incident. He was released from custody two days later.

READ: Hopewell High bursar murder probe widens

It is now rumoured that some teachers do not want the principal at the school.

Head of the police area one, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Glenford Miller, said the police are currently trying to determine the reasons for the absence of the majority of teachers at the school on Friday.

“The police were informed that there was a scant turnout of teachers at the Hopewell High School. So as a result, the superintendent for Hanover would have actually visited and sent a team to make some inquiries to see what was happening,” stated ACP Miller.

“It was confirmed that a limited number of teachers would have turned out, but the Community Safety and Security team from Hanover and other members would have actually been visiting the school to try and ascertain what was really happening. But plans are afoot with the superintendent to have some discussion with the principal of the school,” ACP Miller added.

Although Grant was released from custody days after being arrested, the police indicated in a December 27, 2023 interview, that he remains a person of interest.

In March, the former Head of the police area one, ACP Clifford Chamber, told the Jamaica Observer that investigators are looking at other aspects that they can tie to, not the principal, but the shooter involved in terms of forensics and linking the crime scene to other crime scenes.

Observer Online was unable to obtain further updates on the matter.