KINGSTON, Jamaica – Parents and teachers at the Central Branch All-age on Thursday took to the streets to protest the sudden resignation of the school’s principal.

They say the principal, Michael Sutherland, resigned because he was constantly being disrespected by a few staff members. However, they want Sutherland to be reinstated to the position, arguing that he has done a great job at the school.

“So, we have decided to protest this morning. There has been an ongoing issue with the disrespect that has been meted out to the principal by workers who are there. These persons have chosen to go and get the ministry involved. They have been making numerous complaints, (telling) lies to the ministry as well as getting a union delegate to come to represent them,” a protestor told OBSERVER ONLINE on Thursday.

The protestor alleged that there is a particular worker whose contract ended and in wanting to be reinstated, has been rude to the school, parents and also to the principal.

“She has refrained from doing (her job)… she has abandoned her position …when she should be (working), she is over by her house or gone about her business or she is under the tree where the security is,” the protestor said, adding that the said worker has been reinstated by the Government.

Out of frustration with that situation, the principal stated that he will step down from his role as principal, the protestor said.

“This cannot continue, because this group of persons has been disrespectful to the principal even in front of other students, other parents…,” she added.

Another parent said that Sutherland was a great principal, who oftentimes gave lunch to students in need.

“I have a daughter in grade five and she came home crying yesterday saying that, ‘mommy Mr Sutherland gone’. So, what I’m here to say today is no sir, no school. If sir doesn’t come back, she won’t be at school. That’s my point. We need back Mr Sutherland,” the upset parent said.

“Mr Sutherland is a good man, a good principal, a good father. A good everything to the students from grand one to six,” she added.