Whyte-Nedd’s performance merits appointment – Yarde

Aug 27, 2010 News

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Her years of acting in the capacity of Chief Education Officer, should see Ms Genevieve Whyte-Nedd being eligible for the full benefits associated with the substantive position. At least this is the belief of President of the Guyana Public Service Union, Patrick Yarde, when he addressed a press conference yesterday.
Whyte-Nedd, according to the union president is due for retirement as at the end of November.
He expressed his convictions that the acting Chief Education Officer who recently commenced pre-retirement leave, “fully merits any and all benefits associated with the position, beyond doubt. She fully merits substantive appointment.”
However, Yarde lamented the fact that “we are prevailing in a society where our values that we were brought up with and accustomed to, analysing and determining the outcome of things have changed…Very often you are confused, you are shocked.”
“Previously you would hear people making comments that this is a clear cut case or this definitely will happen because of upbringing and values and appreciation of what is right and wrong. You were not faced with those conflicts about things. You could have clearly and definitively supported something which is right and what is wrong…that doesn’t happen today; it is a totally different situation.”
According to Yarde, there seems to be insensitivity even to decency and the reflection on one’s image about the things that they engage in. Due to the evident state of the environment, the union President noted that a constant struggle is faced. Nonetheless, Yarde expressed optimism that the controversial Whyte-Nedd case will be dealt with in a fair and just manner. “I am saying this because from our experience that is not a guaranteed feature, but it is possible, because there are persons who we have always stated that are of integrity who may be assigned to deal with these matters and we do pray and trust that that occurs.”
According to Yarde, the union can only hope that the case will be premised on good conscience and reasoning as well as fair dealings. It is expected that with the advent of a youthful transition there will be a change in the way things are currently undertaken in society, Yarde added.
He said that the union is placing much emphasis on this year, which is being dubbed International Year of the Youth.
“We feel that is the youths who can bring about the change. The youths do not have that baggage, they are freer and are more open-minded, more receptive to reasoning and are more inclusive and so a lot is dependent on them bringing about a change.”
It was just recently that Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh had regarded the Whyte-Nedd situation as an unfortunate one. He had however stated that in his capacity as Education Minister he does not have the authority to recommend the appointment of Whyte-Nedd or any senior officer of the Ministry to that position.
“It is the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) constitutional mandate to appoint. I can’t pronounce on that…whether I regret the situation or not… I can’t determine if Ms Whyte-Nedd can be appointed to that position.”
Genevieve Whyte-Nedd has acted in the position of Chief Education Officer for several years but was never appointed although she applied for the said position on at least two occasions. The matter of her non-appointment is currently gaining the attention of the High Court which has ordered that the PSC show just cause why she was not appointed to the position.
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UG academic year starts Monday

– Opening Ceremony today

The University of Guyana will today welcome new and continuing students of both of its campuses, at the Opening Ceremony for the 2010-2011 academic year. The occasion will commence at 17:30 hrs, at will be held in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, at Turkeyen.
“This activity is an important one since it seeks to provide some form of induction of our students to the University. It also seeks to acquaint them with the officers with whom they will have to interact during their period of study at the institution,” Registrar Vincent Alexander said.
He further stated that, “The occasion also seeks to create the feeling of community which is critical in terms of the desired interaction amongst the stakeholders on the campuses.”
The first semester for the 2010-2011 academic year will commence next Monday.
And starting this year, students are being given a wider choice with the introduction of four new programmes (the Bachelor of Science Degrees in Optometry, Rehabilitation Sciences and Pharmacy and the Associate Degree in Optometry) in the Faculty of Health Sciences. In addition, the School of Education and Humanities will be offering the Associate Degree in Anthropology.

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