est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Alexandra School – The Way Forward

The wonderful sight of teacher and pupil reunited at the Alexandra School – Photo credit Barbados Advocate

It was evident to the most discerning when the Alexandra School issue reared its head – Alexandra School Dispute – Who Shall Lead The Children? – that the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union (BSTU) had reached the end of its tether fuelled by how past grievances were managed by the ministry of education. Many Barbadians became outraged that the ministry of education would have allowed the Alexandra dispute to become so protracted, six years and counting. Caswell Franklyn, Head of Unity Trade Union who possesses an above average knowledge of the workings of the public service posited that the – Alexandra School Impasse: [was] A Massive Failure Of Public Service Administration. He produced the PUBLIC SERVICE ACT 2007 – 41 with Amendment to support his view.

In fact when the BSTU departed from the heavily trodden path of grievance procedure and withheld labour which resulted in 30 Alexandra teachers on the picket line, acute discernment was unnecessary as to what was required. When the BSTU mobilized around a cry for the separation of Principal Broomes from the school it was obvious Houston had a problem. If that was not enough to spur all concerned into action, information revealed last week that the ministry of education was in possession of an inspection document for several months only served to confirm the lethargy and incompetence with which the fractured industrial relations climate at Alexandra Secondary School was allowed to descend.

Finally when a ministerial committee was constituted chaired by Minister of Education Ronald Jones, BU commentators knew it would have been in vain – “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”. The BSTU had travelled that road before and  was known to have lost confidence in Minister Ronald Jones. The Prime Minister would have to intervene which is consonant with how IR disputes are resolved in Barbados anyway.

After 20 days of strike action Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart finally intervened on the weekend. The objective was to get the striking teachers teachers back to work. He achieved the objective a result complimented by Caswell Franklyn.  It was obvious from early in the impasse – confirmed by Sir Roy Trotman after the Barbados Workers Union (BWU) gave its support to the BSTU – that there would be no perfect solution to the Alexandra dispute. Prime Minister Stuart got the teachers to return to work and more than hinted that the job of righting the wrongs at the school had to be started. It is regrettable that many Barbadians have not seen Stuart’s action for what it is i.e. getting the teachers back to the classroom.

BU agrees 100% with the Prime Minister that we live in a barbecue pig tail era where form too often seems to trump substance. Imagine BU’s surprise to hear President Walter Maloney expressing concern about the students being roped into the dispute. Why the hell did he not come out when it was happening and condemn it at that time? Why did Winston Crichlow, the head of the principals association feel constrain to comment after the Prime Minister got the teachers to return to the classroom, a prerequisite to moving the matter forward? Why did the Alexandra Parents Teachers feel they had to issue a statement to the press and demand that teachers and the ministry of education make an action plan available to them about making up the lost hours?

They all need to shut the hell up and allow Prime Minister to deliver what he has promised!

394 responses to “Alexandra School – The Way Forward”

  1. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    John
    Let’s be real here…a headmaster in Barbados with a Board of Management which has a TreasurerSecretary…not to mention his own personal secretary…At most drafting correspondence will be his major office task..he then has to walk the corridors to see all is well maybe twice a day… maybe a disgruntled parent visit once a week, maybe a visit from girl guides or buying a poppy…The accountingfeasibility function is done by the Board..so he can relax…what else…surely boredom will set in ..he may find himself off school to alleviate…That’s why a class or two ..in there somewhere would be the mark of a true educator.

  2. David Avatar
    David

    In the case of AX we had a Chairman no less than the calibre of a former government minister and AG in Keith Simmons.

    There is much more to be written in the AX Saga.

  3. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ David

    Board ..what Board.. I was told Jeff tried to man-handle that too.
    Haven’t you read in the Barbados Today: Grievances….on how the Board would set up interviews( in conjunction with Heads of Dept) to hire staff only to be cancelled by the Headmaster ??

    Where was the Chairman’s voice ?

  4. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @old onion bags
    I sincerely hope you don’t truly believe that that’s all a Principal’s job entails, particularly in this current environment

    @John
    the principal is considered a “master teacher” and “instructional leader.” He / she therefore from time to time take up an occasional class (not consistently) to keep relevant, understand the realities on the ground and be an example to other teachers. Of course I’m speaking theoretically.

    @David
    Much more will be told. My fear is that it has also dived into the realm of politics. There must be some backlash somewhere.

  5. John Avatar
    John

    old onion bags | January 29, 2012 at 12:13 PM |

    John
    Let’s be real here…a headmaster in Barbados with a Board of Management which has a TreasurerSecretary…not to mention his own personal secretary…At most drafting correspondence will be his major office task..he then has to walk the corridors to see all is well maybe twice a day… maybe a disgruntled parent visit once a week, maybe a visit from girl guides or buying a poppy…The accountingfeasibility function is done by the Board..so he can relax…what else…surely boredom will set in ..he may find himself off school to alleviate…That’s why a class or two ..in there somewhere would be the mark of a true educator.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    That’s not quite how it works with respect to the board …. and I doubt you will find a Principal claiming to be bored and having nothing to do!!

    I think you will find the following:

    That the Board of Management may meet once a month with the Principal present.

    That the Chairman will probably be the busiest member, will be active during a month outside of the monthly meetings, and will be paid differently from board members who will probably receive an honorarium.

    That the board doesn’t get involved in day to day activities.

    That the accounting function is done by the ancilliary staff and while the board may be responsible the principal oversees this activity.

    You will also find that the output of this accounting staff in the form of cheques, is signed off by two board members as a check and balance.

    I guess you run a business which supplies products or services to a school and have looked at who signs the cheques.

    If things work right, the Minister, the Ministry, the Board, the Principal and the Staff, both ancilliary and teaching, work together to deliver a product …. education to pupils.

    Each does his/her bit and all work in a team.

    All sing in the same choir.

    If the Board has any sense it will meet formally and informally with all staff and the principal (MBWB) a few times during the school year.

    There will be occasions when parents and the Board will be together, and if things work right, it usually happens only at graduation …. and the parents don’t have a clue who the members are, except the Chairman and perhaps the Deputy Chairman.

    Nothing wrong with a Principal teaching occasionally if there is an emergency … but that means being able to teach any form at any level because emergencies are unpredictable.

    There will be incidents which may strain relations but once there is communication they can be dealt with.

    It is clear here that there was a breakdown in communication and territory was being staked out.

    Just can’t work in an educational institution.

  6. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    old onion bags re. your post of Jan 29, 2012 at 11:32 AM;

    Thanks for at least going one step towards doing the decent thing.
    Of course you have not substantiated any thing you said or answered my request repeated below:

    Please show me where:- 1) I was on on a crusade asking for the necks of Mary Redman and those ” rouge teachers”, and 2), in the unlikely event that you can find some obscure statement that could reasonably be interpreted to suggest that I was asking for punishment of Mary Redman and the teachers, show me where I was doing so with venom .

    But I didn’t expect even this slight capitulation.

    Awright den!

  7. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    Supposed 30 teachers at AX decided to sue for the bullying, autocratic and brusque behaviour of the principal? Don’t laugh, such cases have been heard and tested in the English courts 9which we often follow).

    see http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/teachers.htm#Patterns

    ” Barber v. Somerset County Council

    9 March 2001: former maths department head Alan Barber has been awarded £100,000 damages for stress suffered whilst at East Bridgewater School in Somerset. The court heard how Mr Barber suffered depression following “brusque, autocratic and bullying” behaviour of head teacher Margaret Hayward. A restructuring exercise meant that Mr Barber’s workload increased but resources were withdrawn. Despite being alerted, the school responded unsympathetically and did nothing to alleviate the situation. Somerset County Council plan to appeal.

    Browell v. Northumberland County Council

    11 October 2001: primary school teacher Christine Browell has gained a £100,000 out-of-court settlement against Northumberland County Council after they failed to deal with claims of bullying by the former head teacher of Mowbray First School in Guidepost, near Choppington, Northumberland. The council refused to admit liability, claiming she did not use formal grievance procedures to make her complaint that the head had harangued her in public. However, grievance procedures are inadequate in bullying cases, especially where the bully is the person to whom one would normally take the grievance.”

  8. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ check-it, David
    Now I hope you all know where this going….that extract by Ping Pong did not just jump in here by chance..words to the wise

    I hear a horse Galloping..

  9. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    As we consider “the way forward”, should Barbados establish a Teachers’ Service Commission similar in function to that of the UK’s Teaching Agency (the planned successor to the General Teaching Council)?

    http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/armslengthbodies/b0077806/the-teaching-agency

    The Teaching Agency will replace the General Teaching Council in England in 2012. Of interest is the General Teaching Council’s disciplinary orders and decisions which are on the internet in accordance with statute.

    http://www.gtce.org.uk/regulation/disciplinary_orders/

    For example:

    name: Mrs Maureen Waters (hearing at Regus, 1 Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD)
    teacher reference number: 7235189
    type of decision/order: Conditional Registration Order (issued without limit of time)
    date made: 31 Oct 2011

    Disciplinary order made by the GTC

    Hearing of Professional Conduct Committee

    On 31 October 2011 a disciplinary order was made against Mrs Maureen Waters, teacher reference number 7235189, taking immediate effect.

    Mrs Maureen Waters was found guilty of serious professional incompetence in that whilst employed at William Cobbett Junior School, Surrey, between September 2008 and March 2010, she consistently failed to perform to the required standard in the following areas:

    i) planning and preparation
    ii) differentiation including appropriate pace and challenge
    iii) time management and meeting deadlines
    iv) marking and assessment.

    Mrs Maureen Waters received a Conditional Registration Order (issued without limit of time). The conditions are that:

    i) should Mrs Waters commence any full-time or part-time contract of one year or more continuous duration in any school she shall:
    a) undertake and successfully complete a re-entry, refresher or equivalent recognised course, if available, based on the National Standards or, alternatively undertake and successfully complete an appropriate and substantial internal performance management training procedure that address the issues of:
    1) planning and preparation
    2) differentiation including appropriate pace and challenge
    3) time management and meeting deadlines
    4) marking and assessment

    ii) she will commence such course or training procedure as set out in condition 1 within three working months of, and successfully complete the course or training procedure within one year of, commencement of such a position as set out in condition i)

    iii) she will provide to the Registrar of the GTC, or appropriate individual at any successor organisation, confirmation of satisfactory completion of the condition set out in i) and such confirmation has to be provided within two months of successful completion.

    Note that Principals and Deputy Principals are also held accountable as shown in the following case:

    name: Ms Pamela Allen (closed session)
    teacher reference number: 7449480
    type of decision/order: Conditional Registration Order (issued without limit of time)
    date made: 4 Nov 2011

    Disciplinary order made by the GTC

    Hearing of Professional Conduct Committee

    On 4 November 2011 a disciplinary order was made against Ms Pamela Allen, teacher reference number 7449480, taking immediate effect.

    Ms Pamela Allen was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct in that whilst employed as deputy headteacher at Cottingley Village Primary School, between 2001 and 2010, she:

    i) inadequately managed child protection issues, by:
    a) failing to keep adequate records of child protection concerns raised about two pupils
    b) failing to completed EB19 forms when making Children’s Social Care referrals, on dates unknown after 2007
    c) failing to transfer pupil’s case file to other schools following child’s transfer, in respect of three pupils

    ii) failed to take action and follow up on child protection concerns raised with her about 35 different pupils between March 2004 and December 2010.

    Ms Pamela Allen received a Conditional Registration Order (issued without limit of time). The condition is that Ms Allen, shall be subject to a condition, effective without limit of time:

    i) that she shall not work within a school in a post with any management responsibility for child protection, either paid, or unpaid
    ii) that she may only practise in a school as a main scale classroom teacher.

    I would imagine that if one wanted to bring together in common purpose the BWU, the NUPW, the BSTU, BAPPSS and the BUT, a Government only has to recommend such an agency and a system for Barbados to see all hell break loose! LOL.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @Ping Pong

    If it can happen in the Mother Country, a country which we model our little country after in more ways than one, why on earth would you think a similar entity couldn’t be established in Little England?

  11. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @Ping
    Ping Pong are you a teacher ?…
    If so
    It seems that you ladies got more than just separation on the minds.Excuse my forwardness…

  12. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @David and Ping Pong
    A teachers’ service commission has been recommended and requested for quite some time now (over 3 years). No action by the relevant agent(s) as yet though.

  13. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Observing

    You are right to some extent when you say that a teaching service commission was recommended for over three year. In fact the Constitution was amended in 1974 to establish a teaching service commission but the amendments relating to that commission have not been proclaimed.

    There is absolutely no need for a teaching service commission. There is a need to strengthen the secretariat – the Personnel Administration Division, which deals with the day-to-day human resource management of the entire Public Service. Like everything else in the Public Service, the Personnel Administration Division has been corrupted by political interference and as a result, the place is staffed by too many square pegs trying to fit into round holes.

  14. John Avatar
    John

    Time for a change.

    Enough talk.

    Everybody needs calling to account.

  15. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @Caswell
    “There is absolutely no need for a teaching service commission.

    My guts and instinct tell me you’re wrong there. Will revisit after some thought, research.and conversation.

  16. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    old onion bags re. your post of Jan 29, 2012 at 3:37 PM;
    You said: It seems that you ladies got more than just separation on the minds.Excuse my forwardness.

    Seems to me the examples are quite even handed and suggest that ping-pong may not only be looking at curbing bullying principals but at disciplining insubordinate teachers as well. The separation issue did not leap out at me. Perhaps you know ping pong personally?

    I’ve also noted the resident Unionist’s reaction. …. There’s nothing to see here, move on.

  17. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @John
    “Everybody needs calling to account.”

    More than that…cuz something would have to be seriously wrong in this country when we would sell shares in the BL&P (belonging to NIS) for $25 to a Canadian company called Emera…which in less than 12 months thereafter listed the shares @ $ 70….
    Now those monies from the sale of the NIS shares are being sought by a Professor who seemingly can’t find outside investors for Four Seasons..but asking Bdo’s Govt to do invest in a project nobody wants to touch. and the Board NIS ok it…well well

    In effect we would be moving money from a GOOD SAFE INVESTMENT ..BL&P shares…to an UNSURE ONE …Four Seasons..under the pretense ..”it go provide jobs for Barbadians…..sick

    What is going on in this place????
    See: on this Blog>>>Stop Blaming all on Global Economies<<<<<<

  18. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @Check-it
    Checkit-Out | January 29, 2012 at 6:36 PM |
    Seems to me the examples are quite even handed and suggest that ping-pong may not only be looking at curbing bullying principals but at”

    Come clean are you the PM??????

  19. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    With all the talk about removing Mr Broomes, this government knows they must come with FACTS and what they have from a report and word of mouth CANNOT stand up in court. Maybe in Barbados “injustice” can be done, but the CCJ will overtrurn for lack of factual evidence. The British law still states, a person is innocent until proven guilty, and that must be beyond reasonable doubt. Therefore all you Broome haters will have to come with facts, proof, not “street fact or proof” but genuine evidence . The P.M was made to like stupid for listening to one side and not the other in this dispute and that too can go against the MOE/government if they try dismissing Mr Broomes.

  20. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    for old onion bags in Canadian dollars.

    EMA‎ – Emera Inc. (TSE)‎
    32.80 -0.03‎ (-0.09%‎)
    27 Jan 4:43pm ET – Disclaimer
    Open: 32.86
    High: 32.94
    Low: 32.78

    Volume: 133,358
    Avg Vol: 173,000
    Mkt Cap: 4.01B

  21. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Old Onion Bags; re your Jan 29, 2012 at 7:23 PM post;
    You’re really brilliant. Extraordinary deduction!

    David; Could Onion Bags be an amalgam of different individuals posting from the same IP address? The Onion bags who posts on the AX matter can’t be the one who posts very sensibly on other topics.

  22. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ check-it
    I see you have shifted me like a hot bate..but that is ok…
    As to my writing in other place….a carpenter does know his tools…that’s my field not education or journalism. Numbers give numbers any day.

  23. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Old Onion Bags

    Awright den!

  24. Blogger2012 Avatar
    Blogger2012

    @Caswell

    I am seized of the facts of the pension Acts. As I have said to you previously on this matter tell me in this situation where you can argue special case. Further, based on the formula he would not lose any pensionable years as he would have achieved his 33 1/3 years for pension, however how to you respond to a charge that there i s opportunity cost for earning a bigger pension and gratuity if he works until 67.

    Do you know of any case(s) in Barbados where this has/have obtained and was/were there any challenges and what was/were the outcome(s). Futher afar what about in the commonwealth .

    I await your response.

  25. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ Check-it
    Old Onion Bags; re your Jan 29, 2012 at 7:23 PM post;
    You’re really brilliant. Extraordinary deduction!

    I was joking… and so I believe so are you..

  26. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Old Onion Bags;
    I was indeed joking also, but I was never really good at jokes.
    Awright den?

  27. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Well we though it could not happen….but the AX site on cooooool dennnnnn Bush tea purging ..Scout gone camping..Check-it @ D hilton and ac turn up so high she chillliiiiinnnn.

    Praise the Lord…a sign its ova. (>12 HOUR since this submission)

  28. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Old Onion Bags;
    I saw what appears to be an unedited, unexpurgated 2nd clip of FS’ victory press conference on the AX solution on the Nation website last night. (Remember that the 2nd part of the address wasn’t available last week. It now is.) FS’ own words show beyond a shadow of a doubt that the PM presaged his remarks about the circus and the children being dragged kicking and screaming into the fray by expressing a concern about the parents and thereby connecting his later remarks with them. The remarks were therefore connected, the AX parent and teacher was correct. The PM’s friend Gollop was twisting the truth. AX was absolutely right in her comments about Gollop’s intervention. Babb did not need to apologize.

  29. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ Check-it
    I was between minds if to reply to you, as they say, non response favors concurrence.
    Firstly, you should have let sleeping dogs lie…..and Babb rightfully apologized. Gollop never twisted the truth….I don’t know what unedited version you saw, so I won’t comment in fairness.
    Never the less, I see you are quite willingly to wake up the clowns with your jaunty remarks which the majority of Barbados (only hearing one edited speech) came to the same conclusion as I have.
    But there again….bring on the crusade.

  30. ac Avatar
    ac

    Goo morning oinion there was an article in the nation on Sunday where a retired teacher talked about her days as Principal of AX it was refreshing to read about her management style during her years and the teachers input . It is so much that Broomes could have learnt if he had talked to her after becoming Principal

  31. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ ac
    Goodmorning gf
    Do you honesty believe Broomes would listen to advice from a woman far less anybody?Broomes cut from the same cloth as Bushie..who also informed he is from a fishing village somewhere in the north..and he not afraid to let me have a few expletives should I annoy him..and Scout who as you know very dogmatic and can only see outta one eye..
    You notice how quiet they gone lately though, only a fellow who like sounding like a prime minister (Awrite.).did attempt to poke at the onion this morning..guess he was a bit lonely..no action an all…tell me about ..he hear an unedited version…( dat don’t be released sonny)..so null.
    Like they say when the licks too HOT some does run out D kitchen.
    Or could it be they gone to help Uncle pack he georgie bunnel..?
    Hold ya back onions..lol

  32. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    ac
    I’ve gone quiet simply because all the talk and walk Mary Redman and the striking teachers did, all the demands Mary Redman made, as I’ve said before , she had to eat humble pie and return to work. Mr Broomes is STILL principal, the ady has gone to teach the form she refused, the disgruntled teachers are ALL back at work and , as was instructed, following the instructions given to them by Mr Broomes. There were/is some personel from the MOE at the school but they can only OBSERVE. So what else do you want me to say, I told you this would happen and it did, so as far as I’m concerned, that matter is OVER.

  33. ac Avatar
    ac

    sorry scout but i ain’t the one who rattled yuh cage. so you can return to your place of peace and quiet and wait for broomes final curtain call.

  34. The Scout Avatar
    The Scout

    ac
    You. old onion bags, Mary Redman, the striking teachers, the BSTU and any others, are ALL hanging your heads down in shame. Yes, Mr Broomes will leave AX, like all his predesessors and the school will go on. no one knows the future, for many tomorrow sun may never rise but if life continues as it is going now for Mr Broomes, he will be at AX for a while yet. Let’s just forget what occurred and let peace reign at the school. The striking teachers have realise their folly and have return to do their duty, that is teach the student, and take instructions from the principal, therefore let sleeping dogs lie

  35. ac Avatar
    ac

    Scout you must have had a hard day cause you are daydreaming. !

  36. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Here Scout have a tissue..ole friend..it soon gine B ova ..ya fight a good fight.

  37. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Ac Morning gf
    Have you any updates news on what’s happening…in Speighstown?
    Looks like our nemeses have retired with old age (or sorrow)
    Bushie not answering a combatant call? Scout running to talk bout Mia?
    D prime minister(chk-it)…mumurring awrite at everything?
    Is that not a sure sign of surrender or what?You mean no one can muster the strength of a final Gen.Custard’s charge like a true 4 star general as you so proport ?
    I never thought I would live to see the day.

  38. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Old Onion bags;

    Today’s daily nation is reporting that there has been no observable movement into stage 2 so far. Why you so sure it soon gine be ova?

    Cecil McCarthy in his column “everyday law” makes some interesting observations re. the role and powers of the Board (the BOM) – and hence of the principals- of the Barbados Secondary Schools. He says for instance:-

    In Barbados, BOMs only employs and is entrusted with disciplinary powers over the non-teaching staff of the school. (The principal is teaching staff so is not employed by or susceptible to discipline by the BOM).

    The principal is mandated to supervise both teaching and non-teaching staff of the school.

    The principal is responsible for keeping a number of records.

    It therefore seems likely that Pricipal Broomes might have been on good grounds re. some of the complaints made against him by the BOM in the Inspection report. It looks as if a battle royal is still possible beneath the seeming calm of the current situation.

    Perhaps BSTU acted a bit prematurely on the degree of dispatch of the implementation of Stage 2.

  39. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @Check it out
    The BSTU trusted the words “with dispatch” and “compromised” their bargaining position of going back while Broome was still there. Just another in a series of their strategic errors regardless of outcome.

    I challenge anyone to find any instance of “dispatch” in government other than the David Thompson football tournament and the 17.5% VAT in the past 2-3 years.

  40. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Perhaps BSTU acted a bit prematurely on the degree of dispatch of the implementation of Stage 2.

    Do you care to retract?….Mary Queen of Scots has nothing to do with implementation…..her job await a higher hand, until then, yesterday was seen resuming classes as only a good and faithful servant does.

    BOM Chairman at Ax would never has the balls to cull ole Jeffrey..being down trodden by a past friend of a friend…many of his teeth were trophy-ied as reminders. What is of most pertinence now is the coming elections and promises made.Mia now have kicked dust to the wind has signaled a perfect opportune to ring that bell …Go ahead Mr. PM..(Awrite)

  41. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    I decided to keep out of the fray for a while..I being a simple man.

    (1) Have the teachers returned to Alexandra School?
    (1) Is Principal Jeff Broomes still at the School?
    (1) Has the Principal been “separated” from the school?

    One person wrote some days ago he- Jeff Broomes – was clearing his desk does he work at the White House? he must have a very big desk indeed.
    – – – – – – — – – – – — – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
    It does not matter a lot what happens “now” the initial objective was not achieved. “We will not return to Alexandra School until the Principal has been “separated” from the school.”

  42. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Onions; The only sensible thing you wrote above was that Mia (and Owen) have signalled a perfect opportunity for Freundel to correct past mistakes and call an election with dispatch. Will he take it up? Awrite den?

  43. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ Check -it
    How dare you say I wrote non sense ?..lol..Know your place.
    You give your self too much liberty…No need to debate further..its a foregone conclusion now Crusader of a Loss Cause . As to Fumblino….he could not with “act dispatch” if barbados was in child labor…so you need to push him.Again we will hear “opportunity loss”..the cry of the D’s

  44. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    Onions; Getting back to the question of who tricked whom in the 2 meetings held between the PM and BSTU, It now seems to me that there was a high degree of mutual trickery going on. Mary tricked the PM into giving assurances to the BSTU that the Principal would be separated with dispatch (which she felt meant in a short time frame, perhaps days). The PM tricked her in the same respect as “with dispatch” (based on his own words) meant up to months for him. Now, inasmuch as the continuum for dispatch given by the PM was days, weeks or months, and given that he didn’t mention years, the outside time frame, for him, would be sometime between the end of this political term and 23 months ( -ie. just under 2 years). Therefore his time frame for the promised separation could arguably be up to 23 months, if he were still in power at that time.

    Mary’s time frame, OTOH, was almost certainly days, which is still possible, but unlikely, if the principal is minded to fight to the bitter end. The PM has no magic bullet to get him out, given public service procedures, practice and regulations. By next week monday it will move into weeks. and the “weeks” part of the continuum kicks in.

    Mary was probably tricked through taking the PM’s promises of “with dispatch” literally. I’d be very surprised if she expected this outcome so far. But we still have a few days to go to see if the PM has worked a bit more magic and Mr. Broomes is separated within 2 weeks.

    I suspect many will be looking for evidence that the separation is on the way over the next several days, weeks and even months. In the meantime you can continue to periodically proclaim an incomplete and debatable victory for the BSTU.

    Awrite den?

  45. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ Check-it
    What about the elections?

  46. David Avatar
    David

    If we read McCarthy correctly Broomes should have reflected in his log book/Diary some very interesting information.

  47. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    David; Also of interest might be the duty for the principal to keep a daily attendance register for teachers. Since the teachers are not ostensibly the concern of the Boards, is this something that is actually kept currently? Also, in the specific case of AX, if it was indeed being kept it might provide some alternative documented proof, or at least some insight, into the claims and counter claims of the Principle and the BSTU re. an allegedly insubordinate teacher.

  48. John Avatar
    John

    Commonsense says that the Board the Principal and the vice Principal must at least be on the same page.

    Each needs the other.

    Ideally, the Principal and vice Principal benefit from a wide range of experience the members of the board can bring to the table and their contacts.

    The Board benefits from having face to face feedback with the Principal and Vice Principal of what is going on and gets to know of impending problems long before they occur .

    Together they monitor the implementation of plans and collectively come up with solutions to any problems/opportunities which present.

    There should be no surprises if that relationship is working and no firefighting.

    The minutes of the meetings should reflect ordered life at the school and the progress towards implementation of plans the Principal, vice Principal and Board are trying to see to fruition ….strategic plan agreed to by teaching staff, ancilliary staff, vice principal, principal, board and ministry.

    The Board will have a representative from the ministry as well so all stake holders are represented.

    The institution then concentrates on the delivery of top quality education to the pupils and satisfaction to their parents which after all are its raisons d’etre.

    Board members will bend over backwards to make a contribution to the continued well being of the institution for the term of their appointment.

    There will be no financial gain for its members who will be trying to give back to society of their time and skills.

    This should happen naturally and not require the force of law, that is not to say that all the players do not need to be aware of their responsibilities.

  49. David Avatar
    David

    Perhaps PM Stuart had sight of the logs!

  50. Checkit-Out Avatar
    Checkit-Out

    David;
    Perhaps. But is there a strong relationship – vis a vis the AX matter – between the writer of the column in Today’s Nation and the AX principal? If that relationship exists and there was something in the logs that would have weakened the principal’s case would you expect that the writer would have gratuitously flagged the logs as one of the documents mandated to be kept by principals for their BODs?

Older Comments
1 … 5 6 7 8
Newer Comments

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading