Dear Editor,
On Wednesday, July 20, 2016 an article published in The Gleaner, written by former secretary of the Kingston College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) Basil Waite, raised some very important questions related to the suspensions of Kingston College for two years and Camperdown High School, for three years, from the
Schools’ Challenge Quiz by
Television Jamaica (TVJ).
The reaction of the KCOBA community at home and abroad to Basil’s article was widespread, as there seems to be the view that the questions were of such grave importance that
TVJ ought to be called on to answer in the public interest, as the implication was that a grave injustice was meted out to both schools.
The sequence of the facts presented by Basil raises other important questions of accountability and transparency which must also be addressed as critical issues. Accountability on the part of
TVJ because its actions have very serious implications vis-a-vis the reputation of Kingston College which, on the face of it, seems to have been maligned.
What rules and procedures have
TVJ published to justify such a draconian response? I think if such a document exists, it should be published in the public domain so that the fair-minded public, including the precious minds of the young people of this country, may get an opportunity to debate the issue dispassionately.
On the other hand, if
TVJ does not have such a document in its possession, the matter is even more serious than we think. Indeed, it would be a serious breach of the tenets and principles governing the responsibilities of a national television station which has, over the years, justified the possession of its licence by the excellent reputation and fair-mindedness in the public domain under the leadership of Lester Spaulding.
The response of the present leadership of
TVJ seems downright arrogant, authoritarian and crass.
The principles of openness, fairness and transparency have always been the hallmarks of
TVJ as an institution. I do not share the view of some of my brother KC old boys that we should take up our marbles and go. That would go against the grain of what we stand for as KC old boys. We must pursue this matter to its ultimate resolution because fundamental principles are at stake here.
When I say to the end, I mean, if we cannot get justice in this matter, clearly, we have no other alternative but to pursue this matter ultimately in the highest court in the land. We therefore must put our old boy attorneys in a state of readiness to rigorously unearth the whole truth in this matter pursuant to a just outcome, but more importantly, the protection of the good name of our alma mater, Kingston College.
I am confident that this approach also has relevance to Camperdown High School, which seems to have suffered an even greater injustice.
Winston ‘Winty’ Davidson
Past President
Kingston College Old Boys’ Association
On Wednesday, July 20, 2016 an article published in The Gleaner, written by former secretary of the Kingston College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) Basil Waite, raised some very important questions related to the suspensions of Kingston College for two years and Camperdown High School, for three years, from the
Schools’ Challenge Quiz by
Television Jamaica (TVJ).
The reaction of the KCOBA community at home and abroad to Basil’s article was widespread, as there seems to be the view that the questions were of such grave importance that
TVJ ought to be called on to answer in the public interest, as the implication was that a grave injustice was meted out to both schools.
The sequence of the facts presented by Basil raises other important questions of accountability and transparency which must also be addressed as critical issues. Accountability on the part of
TVJ because its actions have very serious implications vis-a-vis the reputation of Kingston College which, on the face of it, seems to have been maligned.
What rules and procedures have
TVJ published to justify such a draconian response? I think if such a document exists, it should be published in the public domain so that the fair-minded public, including the precious minds of the young people of this country, may get an opportunity to debate the issue dispassionately.
On the other hand, if
TVJ does not have such a document in its possession, the matter is even more serious than we think. Indeed, it would be a serious breach of the tenets and principles governing the responsibilities of a national television station which has, over the years, justified the possession of its licence by the excellent reputation and fair-mindedness in the public domain under the leadership of Lester Spaulding.
The response of the present leadership of
TVJ seems downright arrogant, authoritarian and crass.
The principles of openness, fairness and transparency have always been the hallmarks of
TVJ as an institution. I do not share the view of some of my brother KC old boys that we should take up our marbles and go. That would go against the grain of what we stand for as KC old boys. We must pursue this matter to its ultimate resolution because fundamental principles are at stake here.
When I say to the end, I mean, if we cannot get justice in this matter, clearly, we have no other alternative but to pursue this matter ultimately in the highest court in the land. We therefore must put our old boy attorneys in a state of readiness to rigorously unearth the whole truth in this matter pursuant to a just outcome, but more importantly, the protection of the good name of our alma mater, Kingston College.
I am confident that this approach also has relevance to Camperdown High School, which seems to have suffered an even greater injustice.
Winston ‘Winty’ Davidson
Past President
Kingston College Old Boys’ Association