There is something that pricks me the wrong way at Prickly Pole Primary School. The school board chairman is a PNP councillor who opposes the PNP Member of Parliament, Lisa Hanna, who happens to be minister in charge of the Child Development Agency (CDA).
Parents were mobilised for a protest against Lisa Hanna, alleging funds were allocated to fix the schoolyard but no work was ever done.
A child at the school, with a history of heart illness, died during the protest. Minister Hanna instructs the CDA to investigate the circumstances under which the child died. Their report blames the demonstration. This confidential report is made public when tweeted by a member of the minister's staff.
I think Lisa Hanna has just used her ministerial power to cast blame for the death of the child on the people who oppose her.
This is the fastest I have seen the Minister of Education act in any circumstance. Granted, I agree the board chair was wrong and should be dismissed. However, as I have seen so often, many a dismissal have been revoked because the spirit of the law, natural justice, and transparency have not been followed when reviewed judicially. Was the Minister of Education motivated to act so swiftly because he wanted to protect his colleague minister?
What of the allegations of funds granted for repairs and no work done. Did the board chairman or principal make a report on the proposed work to be done. Shouldn't the minister of education be, at least, interested to know if funds were granted for the school, and if so what happened to it?
The whole thing reeks.
Deloris Harriott
Guy's Hill, St Catherine
harriottdeloris@gmail.com
Prickly, prickly affairs
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Parents were mobilised for a protest against Lisa Hanna, alleging funds were allocated to fix the schoolyard but no work was ever done.
A child at the school, with a history of heart illness, died during the protest. Minister Hanna instructs the CDA to investigate the circumstances under which the child died. Their report blames the demonstration. This confidential report is made public when tweeted by a member of the minister's staff.
I think Lisa Hanna has just used her ministerial power to cast blame for the death of the child on the people who oppose her.
This is the fastest I have seen the Minister of Education act in any circumstance. Granted, I agree the board chair was wrong and should be dismissed. However, as I have seen so often, many a dismissal have been revoked because the spirit of the law, natural justice, and transparency have not been followed when reviewed judicially. Was the Minister of Education motivated to act so swiftly because he wanted to protect his colleague minister?
What of the allegations of funds granted for repairs and no work done. Did the board chairman or principal make a report on the proposed work to be done. Shouldn't the minister of education be, at least, interested to know if funds were granted for the school, and if so what happened to it?
The whole thing reeks.
Deloris Harriott
Guy's Hill, St Catherine
harriottdeloris@gmail.com
Prickly, prickly affairs
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