Latest update November 17th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Flea-bitten

Nov 28, 2012 Editorial

 

 

“Flea-bitten”, in modern parlance, has become a synonym for “creaky, decrepit, derelict, run-down and woebegone.” Queen’s College, the nation’s putative premier secondary school is in its second week of being overrun by fleas. We can safely assume that it has been literally ‘flea-bitten’. From facts revealed by the sorry episode, it appears that the figurative meanings may also be apropos.
First, the fleas. These have evidently been spread by cats and dogs that inhabit the school’s attic (cats) and environs (dogs). With the school having a full time custodial staff (with an Administrator) and a live-in caretaker, the question begs itself as to what were all these individuals doing all along. It appears that one or more cats had taken up residence in the school’s attic and had even given birth to a litter. It is obvious that this attic is not cleaned regularly by the custodial staff.
The problem of insanitary conditions at Queen’s College had long been a bugbear at the school and at every PTA meeting and Parent-Teacher conclaves it would be raised. Even a cursory ramble around the school would reveal an unsightly open garbage dump almost abutting the eastern side. The general retreat from any standards of cleanliness had also infected the student body, which freely litters even in their classrooms.
While the issue of a school’s hygiene might appear peripheral to its central mission of ‘educating’ its charges, surely the acceptance of responsibility for one’s surroundings must be part of that ‘education”. And we arrive at the question as to who or what body is responsible for the proper functioning of Queen’s which has the full apparatus of a School Board, a PTA, the HM and Deputy, along with Senior Staff.
As per the Ministry’s website, “On the issue of roles and responsibilities, the Board makes general rules and regulations to enhance the administration and governance of its schools using a system of committees. The responsibility for the day-to-day management of the school resides with Head / Principal and senior staff without the interference of the board.”
“PTAs will, in a structured way, play a role in the instructional programmes of schools, the general management of these schools (including the formation of rules, and the improvement in general performance of the school in curricular and extra-curricular matters), contribute to the improvement plans of the school and take action to assist the school in addressing its needs. These Associations will also undertake the acquisition and expenditure of all non-budgetary funds of the school, thus allowing teachers to concentrate on the teaching-learning process.”
From the foregoing, it is clear that it is the responsibility of the Head and the deputy to ensure that hygienic standards are maintained by the custodial staff, through their Administrator. It is our expectation that the lines of authority and responsibility will be clearly drawn and executed in the wake of this fiasco. More than all the soaring rhetoric about leadership that is delivered in the classrooms, the actions of the appointed and paid leaders at Queen’s will determine whether the students will actually imbibe the lesson on responsible leadership.
In the wake of the flea infestation, a parent, who claimed to be an alumnus of Queen’s, pointed out in our letter pages some other problems at the school which should be rectified immediately. It is unbelievable that in some cases there have been claims of no chairs or desks in the classrooms for the teachers. Is this a new way to make education ‘fun” by forcing teachers to hop around all day?
On the question of maintaining standards at Queen’s, much depends on the will of the Head and the quality of the staff. This newspaper has made no bones about supporting the so-called ‘premier’ schools – once admission is on merit. We have long advocated that the quality of the teaching standards at Queen’s must be of the highest standards, and this will only be possible if they are offered salaries that will attract the most qualified candidates.
Let us ensure that QC is not flea-bitten in both senses of the term.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 15th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Hauls from Persaud and Farley highlight MVP Sports Girl’s U11 Football Tourney commencement

Hauls from Persaud and Farley highlight MVP Sports Girl’s U11...

Nov 17, 2024

Kaieteur Sports- The Petra Organisation’s MVP Sports Girl’s Under-11 Football Tournament kicked off in spectacular fashion yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue,...
Read More
Windies chase 219 for first win of T20 series against England

Windies chase 219 for first win of T20 series...

Nov 17, 2024

Motie joins Amazon Warriors Squad for GSL

Motie joins Amazon Warriors Squad for GSL

Nov 17, 2024

CWI announces West Indies Test Squad for Home Series against Bangladesh

CWI announces West Indies Test Squad for Home...

Nov 17, 2024

𝗗𝗖𝗕 U𝟭𝟱50-overs ‘Next Generation’ Inter-Association Tournament starts today

𝗗𝗖𝗕 U𝟭𝟱50-overs ‘Next...

Nov 17, 2024

Glasgow sets new scoring record as Golden Jaguars settle Barbados 4-1

Glasgow sets new scoring record as Golden Jaguars...

Nov 16, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]