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Springer Memorial School Wrapper Update: The Education System Enters Its Darkest Hour

Pauline Benjamin - Principal, Springer Memorial Secondary School
Pauline Benjamin – Principal, Springer Memorial Secondary School

BU will not write too much about this except to beg for urgent divine intervention. As adults we are morally and legally bound to be caretakers of our children. What has transpired so far at Springer Memorial School involving a minor and a student is an indictment on all of us. All of us.

The emotional scaring that continues to accrue to this child begs for an immediate intervention from someone, any bloody one. Are we a society? Are we focussed only on the economy? What say you Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart? You boasted how you had to intervene to resolve the Alexandra issue. Do something! Rescue your minister Ronald Jones, AGAIN.  We await the management style you will select to resolve this issue. You are the prime minister you know.

Police respond to incident involving Springer student

Added 08 February 2016

elecia-weekes-and-daughter

Elecia Weekes (centre) embracing her daughter outside the school gates. At left is Shelly Ross. (Picture by Xtra Vision Photography.)

POLICE WERE CALLED in at the Springer Memorial Secondary School this morning when the saga surrounding the 14-year-old schoolgirl took another turn.

Related articles

The child and her mother, Elecia Weekes, have been involved in a disciplinary row with the principal, which has resulted in her being out of the classroom for almost eight weeks.

Weekes called the police after she said her daughter was escorted to the gates by principal Pauline Bellamy and asked to take off her uniform. She has refused a transfer to Ellerslie Secondary and was told by Bellamy last week that the child is no longer on the roll at Springer and would be trespassing if she returned.

Police from District “A” responded and advised the family, which is being supported by children’s rights advocate Shelly Ross, to take the matter to the Ministry of Education. They are now awaiting word on when they will be able to meet with chief education officer Karen Best. (YB)

– See more at: http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/77607/police-respond-incident-involving-springer-student#sthash.L1FwfmNO.dpuf

547 responses to “Springer Memorial School Wrapper Update: The Education System Enters Its Darkest Hour”

  1. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    This is a disgrace, the matter should have been settled by those purporting to be adults, civil servants, and leaders, the very next day.. Jones is busy chasing slander, libel and defamation lawsuits, instead of doing his job, compounding how useless he is as a leader….parents and the ministry have to learn the art of compromise, what’s the use of any of them, if they lack that basic skill, what are they teaching children.

    This is not the only child out of school through stupidity of adults and the ministry of education officials…..who refuse to follow up when it involves the welfare of a child, just like the childcareless board..

  2. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    If I remember correctly, I saw it in the press that the students was transferred. Why take her back to the old school?

  3. Anne Avatar
    Anne

    This situation is really getting out of hand. It is disgraceful that the Ministry of Education has allowed it to go so far. The hypocrisy of this incident is very glaring. A few years ago a student was killed by another one at one of our older secondary schools and what became of that incident….NOTHING. Parents lost a child and that was the end. Enough said. This principal is really overstepping her boundary.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    Honestly we have gone pass who to blame. We need to solve the damn problem and this rest with the MOE and by extension government. But wait, is there not a role for our NGOs, the Church, the Alternative Resolution people et al?

  5. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    This situation has gone from bad to ridiculous.

    This child is going to be vitimised which ever government school.

    The time for urgent action is now, the family should get together and put this child into a private school.

    Why is the MOE forcing the parent to take a transfer to Ellerslie when the paent does not want her child there?

    Look there is something called karma………..those in authority who have treated this child like this will pay for it. I am in no way condoning the child talking to the teacher as she did but the punishment does not fit the crime.

  6. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    I would not assume that she will be victimized at another school. For the emotional well being of the child, the wise thing to do is accept the transfer and literally move on because the child needs a fresh start.

  7. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Class is class.There is a lack of class shown by the principal who has failed the child and the school.Karen Best?Lawd have its mercy.Annuda battle loomin’.Barbados teaching being led by the dungalong peeps.Its time the parents show some spunk in support of the child who is being denied a place in her classroom.The ego’s….

  8. David Avatar
    David

    Say what you will, this would not have occurred under the leadership of Miller or Tull.

  9. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    Be reasonable people

    It seems to me that this child is both rude and disobedient

    It seems to me that her mother is ignorant and cantankerous and uncompromising

    Both this girl and her mother are KICKING AGAINST THE PRICKS

    Clearly there must be some discipline exercised by the Head of the school however “lack of class.”

    I am sure this woman would not have challenged the first principal Mrs Tudor (a white English woman)

    just saying…….

    In “our day” this young lass woulda get a cut ass at school and then another one at home……and she would now be as straight as an arrow

  10. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    GP…in this day and age Pamela Tudor would find herself bitch slapped, it is not the 70s anymore, anyway I believe both sides, as adults, could have found a middle ground which suited everyonem they all get an F….this should never have happened to begin with…..

  11. David Avatar
    David

    The big question, why did the child turn up at the school today.

  12. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    A very good question…the mother should have known much better, she did not want the offered transfer, just continue negotiations with Jones, who by the way is still trying to force Elleslie on her, no one is giving an inch, what is wrong with these adults.

  13. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    David
    I am also sure that it would not have escalated to this level when Barbados had proper Directors of Education……..peeps of the calibre of Rawle Jordan,Deighton Rawlins,? Dean,and of recent vintage the engaging Wendy Griffith-Watson and equally engaging Ralph Boyce.

  14. ac Avatar
    ac

    Seriously the parent wanted a transfer. She got a transfer then shows up at the school that according to her statements was unacceptable for her child to attend again..Madness

  15. ac Avatar
    ac

    The mother wants to take the control but so far she has made numerous mistakes to jeopardize and disadvantage her childs interest
    At this point guidance counselors might be appropriate in guiding the parent and child in the right direction

  16. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    The parent said she did not want Daryll Jordan nor Ellerslie,the latter because of some bad experience her son encountered whilst a student there.I cannot understand why,these humongous egos aside,the child should not be allowed back on the Springer campus for her secondary schooling.With all the cable tv we see here,parents are copying the American model of justice for every perceived system failure.The problem with that course is that the CCJ would not recommend it and neither did the late EWB.

  17. charles knighton Avatar
    charles knighton

    “The big question, why did the child turn up at the school today.”

    David to show the principal that they are in charge and can do as they like! That is the stupidity that is rampant on this island. Whether the Head teacher made a wrong or right decision it is she who is incharge of the school. The audacity of the mother leaves me shocked. I would NOT take that child back and she has to learn a valuable lesson in life. When you are insolent you will have serious consequences.

    Look around this island and see the filth around us and pray tell whose filth is it? The insolent young adults that never learnt cleanliness at home and lack of pride in their surroundings.

    If the mother doesn’t like the school transfer then send the child to a private school. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE HEADMISTRESS!

  18. David Avatar
    David

    We can blame the mother for her decision making if this is the case but the time has long gone for the authorities to deal with the matter in the interest of the child. Suppose the mother continues with a headline position what. We can’t continue with blaming the mother and the principal. Isn’t there a law which stipulates a child cannot be out of school for more than a stated period?

  19. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Heather February 8, 2016 at 3:02 PM #
    “I would not assume that she will be victimized at another school. For the emotional well being of the child, the wise thing to do is accept the transfer and literally move on because the child needs a fresh start.”

    We are really disappointed in your stance of this very serious case of standing up for one’s rights. You were rather enthusiastic about the need for the Bajan electorate to take their civil rights and responsibilities very seriously. You even came up with a game plan to achieve the normative situation for good governance and the rule of law for the betterment of society.

    Why must the child in question be the one to subjugate herself to a clear breach of not only her local Constitutional rights but also to a blatant violation of her inalienable rights under to the UN convention or charter on the rights of the child to which the Government of Barbados has ratified.

    Why not throw your weight behind justice and demand that the rights of the child be not only recognized but also enforced?

    The child is standing of very solid ground, both morally and legally. Barbados needs to get with the programme and stop living in her Victorian era of punishment although purporting to be a wannabe developed country.

    Check the relevant articles of the Charter before replying.

  20. ac Avatar
    ac

    The school also have “rights” too. The rights of the child to be educated was not taken away. The fact being that the parent escalation of the issue has now made way for the childs rights to be breached.
    The MOE gave the parent two options wherby the child can continue her education none of which she accepts

  21. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    The incident became public and we are surprised that a child could be treated like this by a principal. Well I got news for you, this incident is minor when compared to the other abuses being perpetrated on children everyday in our schools.

    If you want to read about some of the abuses check Sheri Veronica. Everybody is crying defamation, and some might be defamed, but what I know for sure is that many of her disclosures about sexual abuse are absolutely true. But what is particularly disturbing is that the Ministry of Education knows that they are true.

    The Principal in this particular incident should have been disciplined long ago. If a parent had prevented a child from going to school for this period of time, the parent would have been brought before the courts.

    If a child’s conduct is likely to have a detrimental effect on the discipline of the other pupils of the school, the principal may suspend the pupil for a period not exceeding 10 days, in accordance with regulation 29 of the Education Regulations.

    A principal cannot skirt around the regulations by keeping the child in school but effectively suspending the child by not allowing the child to attend classes in excess of 10 days.

    Delinquent young people get their start as a result of the abuse and bullying in the schools

  22. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ charles knighton February 8, 2016 at 4:16 PM

    Look around this island and see the filth around us and pray tell whose filth is it? The insolent young adults that never learnt cleanliness at home and lack of pride in their surroundings

    Why don’t you stop with your masquerade of genuine hypocrisy? This is a clear case of the chickens coming home to roost. Why are you trying to make an omelette without breaking the eggs?

    Children learn from what they see adults do. Who do you think get in their overrated ‘expensive’ vehicles and dump all sorts of toxic and dangerous garbage on in the sensitively vital gullies and vulnerable landscape of the countryside?

    The schoolgirl is simply aping what she has ‘read’ on social media about the PM designating Leroy Parris as his untouchable buddy and Michael Carry-away-a-ton reinforced by the same Alpha moralizer in his seat as a Speaker of outstandingly reputable character justified in presiding over the highest law making chamber and certainly worthy of emulation by the impressionable school children as the way to get ahead in Barbados and land a seat in Parliament.

    What next you are going to condemn? A boy bringing to school a toy gun to pull it on another bully to reenact the gunfight at OK Palmetto Sq. between Marshall Smiley and the boisterous pit bull Doc. David?

    Leave the damn simple children alone and remove the mote out of your adult myopic corrupt eyes.

  23. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ ac February 8, 2016 at 5:08 PM

    We can see that neither you nor the current administration have learned nothing from the Shanique Myrie case.

    You just cannot sign on to international conventions and charters and observe them by breaching the rights of people.

    Carry on smartly and see if the GoB is not taken to the International Court of Human rights.
    There are just so many agencies out there prepared to see the GoB gets its comeuppance for its leaders’ stupidity. We shall see if the rights of that child have not been blatantly violated as set out in the following Articles:

    Article 28
    2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that school discipline is administered in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity and in conformity with the present Convention.

    Article 37
    States Parties shall ensure that:
    (a) No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons below eighteen years of age….
    Article 39
    States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse; torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recovery and reintegration shall take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity of the child.

  24. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    In these types of matters, a balance must be struck, not one party pushing and the other pushing back, what does that say to their communication skills no wonder they cannot come to any intelligent consensue on domestic violence and child abuse, this was a very simple issue now turned into a complicated production by adults.

  25. Anthony Davis Avatar
    Anthony Davis

    What I don’t understand is how the principal expects the child to leave the premises, and take off her uniform! Should she wait until a bus load of people stops at the stop right next to the school and divest herself? Methinks that the principal is picking on this student! I’ve never heard such rubbish!

  26. David Avatar
    David

    Justice demands the punishment must fit the crime.

  27. David Avatar
    David

    It is a pity this matter has to be arbitrated based on laws and not commonsense.

    http://www.unicef.org.uk/Documents/Publications/Child_friendly_CRC_summary_final.pdf

  28. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    The child should not in any way be disadvantaged because of the idiocy of adults, the prinicipal is also an idiot and not well balanced, where else in the world is punishment and banishment meted out for a candy paper, let the child continue school until a suitable placement is found…..5 weeks of missing classes and having to catch up is enough punishment….for a 14 year old.

    Caswell is right, there are too many young people being pushed unto the streets because they are being treated like lepers and kept out of school, with the schools and ministry not following up or checking on their welfare., when these children’s brains are not yet fully developed and they are vulnerable to the predators….why are children treated like they don’t belong in a country claiming to be first world..everyone wants to pass blame, but no one is seeking a solution….except GP, of course…lol

    I remember at a private school on the island this little white kid, put on her swimsuit while on school premises, went off to who knows where, went back to the school when she felt like it and was not even suspended, her parents did get a call though, this is a candy bar wrapper a child has been literally thrown out of school for….these are the same people condone and applaud corruption.

  29. David Avatar
    David

    How can we thrive as a society and lack the ability/capacity to resolve simple problems.

  30. David Avatar
    David

    Profile

  31. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    As a matter of fact, those are the same adults who are nasty themselves, litter everywhere throwing garbage out of cars and busses, dropping garbage next to the garbage can as opposed to in the garbage can, then expect someone else to pick up their garbage.

    Yep…chickens are home and now roosting…..for the world to see.

  32. caribbeantradelaw Avatar
    caribbeantradelaw

    @David, I agree completely with your sentiments. That this matter has been allowed to fester and escalate is truly ridiculous. All the while this child is being victimised and denied the right to an education.

  33. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    @miller sorry to disappoint you but based on what happened this morning how was this child’s rights infringed upon by the school? The mother should have turned up at the Ministry an taken up her displeasure there. As far as the principal may have known, the child was transferred. That is what was reported in the press.

  34. David Avatar
    David

    @Heather

    The law is on the side of the child, no child should be out of school for 8 weeks because of the stupidity of adults.

  35. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    From the outset, we refused to respect the fact that the child has rights. The child did not litter the school’s premises and therefore, in this instance, did not do anything wrong. There is a very thin line here between punishment and request. It is very obvious that the child, as is her right, determined that it was unfair. This matter should have been resolved there and then. However, as is usual, we started talking about “getting licks” when we were young; now we talking (David) that this could not happen under Miller and Tull. All of that is irrelevant to the fact. Rawlins and all the other stalwarts gone home thirty years ago! The child should be allowed back in school; leaders must admit when they have overstepped their boundaries. Why should the child be now placed in an unfamiliar environment for something she did not do? This is about poor communication on the part of those in charge of the child at the school plant. There is more to this than meets the eye. We have children who insult teachers,bring to school weapons, have sex and they are still in the same schools. Why is this child being denied her rights to an education? Why are we going backwards? @Georgie Porgie,
    Sometime we have to “kick against pricks” or be hosed down and bitten by police dogs or even go to prison in order to get justice. Ask Dr. King. Ask Clement Payne. The child did no wrong but decided she was not responsible for the act for which she thought she was unfairly targeted. Simple as that. She should be back in school at Springer.

  36. David Avatar
    David

    @Willaim

    You obviously disagree but Miller and Tull’s MOEs would have jumped all over this in week 1. Bottomline. With authority comes responsibility.

  37. David Avatar
    David

    Chief education officer says Springer student has been transferred

  38. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    @miller sorry to disappoint you. The Principal was harsh to ask the child to take off the school uniform. Maybe she should have called the Minister of Education or send them to the Ministry. Regardless to whatever ocurred that caused the suitation to escalate to the point where the police and the media were called, the mother should have turned up at the Ministry and taken up her displeasure there. As far as the principal was concerned the child was transferred. That is what was reported in the press.

    @David you asked the right question. Why did the parent and child turn up today for school?

  39. David Avatar
    David

    @Heather

    If you read between the lines i.e. the release from the Chief Education Officer and the Nation story the parent never agreed to the transfer to Ellerslie.

  40. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    @ David then the Ministry and the Minister of Education is to be blamed. They should have resolved the problem especuallt if the Principal is part of the problem. The Minister has not shown any managerial or leadership responsibility.

  41. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    I know the lady who is now the principal at Springer Memorial School. When I served on the Board of Lester Vaughan School, she was the deputy there and I thought that she was levelheaded. When she was promoted, I thought that she would have made a positive difference in the education system.

    All I can say now is that when I get it wrong, I really get it wrong. Over time she has morphed into a monster. Where is that human being that I once knew? Did becoming a principal so overwhelmed her that she has forgotten why she got into education in the first place?

    Woman, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. I know that I am ashamed of you. But you could probably rest comfortably knowing that you have become like the principals that you once despised, with the silent support of your colleagues. When you realised that only Jeff Broomes came out and gave public support, you should have told yourself that you are wrong.

    Sent from my iPad

    >

  42. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Heather

    How can you show what you don’t have?

    Sent from my iPad

    >

  43. Sanky Avatar
    Sanky

    Oh lord…..for more Pamela Tudors…….my former headmistress must be turning in her grave.
    My heart bleeds for this poor child.

  44. Kevin Avatar
    Kevin

    The mother ask for a transfer, she got two choices and refused both. She told the Nation that she wanted the child ‘transferred to either St. Michael or Foundation, because according to her she want a ‘step up’ for her child’. (whatever step-up means). This is more about the mother, not the child. I guess all schools aren’t ‘equal as we like to say when we support full zoning. Ellerlise is on the same ‘level’ as Springer. Accept the darn transfer if that is what you wanted. If she dont accept and it was me in charge, I would put her right at HC or QC and hopes she ‘steps-up’.

  45. David Avatar
    David

    @Kevin

    You would spite the child because of the parent?

    JA

  46. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @David,
    One of these days there should be a national debate on education. You would be shocked to learn that neither Miller nor Tull were outstanding Ministers. Tull did one of the most atrocious acts as minister and he terrorized the profession. The Ministry of education is nothing more than a department of whichever political party is in power. Neither Tull nor Miller is any different from any of the ministers before or after. One day coming soon………..the truth.

  47. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    And why would you withhold the truth until some appointed time in the future?

  48. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    Mole hills into mountains, jackass’s into Hitlers, this is Barbados TURD World and all it’s idiosyncrasies, dictators, tyrants and corruption.

  49. Kevin Avatar
    Kevin

    @ David of course not. If the mother wants a ‘step-up’ for her daughter I would give her the ultimate step up. Simples. And on the matter of Ellerslie it was also reported in the Nation that Ellerslie was one of the options the parent placed on the form when her daughter was taking the 11+. But now she wants a ‘step-up’ from both Springer & Ellerslile, so I would grant it to her.

  50. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David,
    What I am saying is that with a real public debate on the education system, the truth will come out. In many ways , this incident is part of that truth. What we have are political debates not policy debates. And these political debates: Bees Vs Dees quickly degenerate into personal attacks. But I do believe that in the fullness of time it will all be revealed. BU is a part of that time and now a leader in public discourse, soon the old order will fall. The pillars at both George and Roebuck Streets are crumbling daily….the truth is coming.

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