Heated controversies abound in Rama Krisna Primary School

Jun 10, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
We write to express our concern over an issue of abuse of governance and mismanagement at the Rama Krishna Primary School. Evidence has shown that since appointment of the present Head Mistress, Ms. Melanie Cornette, there has been outright and open arrogance by her as it relates to parents, students and teachers.
In our opinion, this is a frustrating scenario at a Government school, with nothing being done by the officials from the Ministry of Education to alleviate the situation by the Head Mistress, since they are aware of her style. In fact, numerous letters of complaints were written by parents and teachers to officers within the Ministry of Education and even to the Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine.
Needless to say, these issues were not addressed. Parents and teachers were left with no other option but to highlight their issues and concerns in the media. Some of the issues that were highlighted in the letters to the Ministry of Education and in the media include:
– In the media, on channel 67, there was an airing about the Head Teacher’s mismanagement and her attitude to the school’s vendors in October, 2015.
– A letter dated March 1, 2016, was written to the Hon. Dr. Rupert Roopnarine and carbon copied to the Hon. Nicolette Henry and the President of the Guyana Teachers Union, by members of the school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA). This letter sought to bring to the Hon. Minister’s attention the plight of the newly elected PTA body, which include but is not limited to arrogant words directed to the PTA President and other parents, the refusal of the Head Mistress to allow the PTA to function, the daily overbearing attitude of Ms. Cornette and the high-handed approach to school funds among other issues. However, to date members of the PTA body are yet to receive a response from the Ministers.
– Another letter dated March 2, 2016, was written to and received by Mr. Emmanuel Bridgewater ( Principal Education Officer) by members of the PTA on behalf of parents of the Rama Krishna Primary, seeking his urgent intervention with regards to the Head Mistress’s poor managerial and leadership skills, withholding of relevant records from the PTA, no reporting of financial contributions made to the school by parents to offset the school’s telephone bills, the purchase of fuel, the sale of food which was prepared by someone who is not in possession of a food handlers certificate, consumption of alcohol on the school premises by certain people, etc. Again no intervention was made.
– In an article dated June 27th, 2016, in the media, a group of parents expressed their concerns and protested outside the Rama Krishna Primary school calling for the Head Mistress to be removed or sanctioned.
– Almost one month later a group of Grade Six (6) parents met with reporters of the Kaieteur News in July, 2016, to vent their frustration over the highhanded use of funds that were contributed for their children’s graduation.
– Likewise, a letter dated December 7, 2016, was written to the Hon. Minister of Education, with copies being sent to the Principal Education Officer and District Education officer, relating to an incident which occurred on December 6th, 2016. The letter detailed the behaviour of the Head Mistress as it relates to a staff member in the presence of a parent. Mention was made of the Head Mistress’ insensitive remarks about the teacher.
– Another letter dated January 20, 2017, was dispatched to the Principal Education Officer by the parent who witnessed the incident, giving a detailed account of what had transpired on December 6, 2016, in the Head Mistress’s office between her and the aforementioned teacher.
Editor, permit me to say that smooth progress of any institution greatly depends on proper management. These management skills are certainly not displayed by Ms. Cornette, hence, the pupils, teachers, parents and PTA of the Rama Krishna Primary School continue to work in an antagonistic environment. Education is the key to personal and social stability and order; therefore a positive input by this Head Mistress would prove to be very significant in the maintenance of respect, cooperation and equality in this institution. However, as evidence has shown, Ms. Cornette’s actions have been quite contrary, and seriously continue to negatively affect the progress of the School.
Editor, if there is any doubt as it relates to the veracity of the information outlined above, contact can be made with the under signed to facilitate perusal of the documents, since it is in our position. A number of issues need to be clarified, with the parents and teachers of Rama Krishna Primary School. These are:
1. Is Ms. Cornette the one and same person who represented the People’s National Congress (PNC) now APNU, on the Region 4, Regional Democratic Council as an elected Councillor?
2. If the Answer to the above question is in the affirmative, is this the reason why no action or response is forthcoming from officials in the Ministry of Education to resolve this problem and bring an end to the complaints?
3. Is this the same Melanie Cornette, who was a teacher at North Georgetown Primary, where problems of a similar nature were reported in the press?
4. If after parents and teachers have utilized all possible official channels, seeking redress and they are met with no response, what should they do next?
5. Is the Ministry of Education’s non-response as a result of instructions from higher up, since a letter to the Minister, himself, went unanswered?
6. Is Ms. Cornette of Rama Krishna Primary indispensible?
7. Is she untouchable, is she a sacred cow?
We, having received this information, now use this forum to add our voice to the voices of the affected parents, students, teachers and members of that community to demand a full, independent and through investigation. We remain on watch to ensure there is no victimization or recrimination of parents, teachers and students as a result of this public exposure. We expect responsible and swift action on this matter.
Juan Edghill, PPP/C MP
(for and on behalf of affected parties)

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