Why has Education Ministry turned its back on N.A Multilateral?

Feb 04, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,

It is with great concern and deep-seated frustration that I pen this letter, to ascertain why Officials at the Ministry of Education including the Minister of Education have turned their backs on the current state of affairs at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School hereinafter referred to as N.A.M.S. This school has often been associated with academic excellence, once ranked third (3^rd) in the country based on CXC and CAPE results, and recognised both locally and regionally in the areas of Sports and Threatre Arts.
However, the image of this school has been tarnished by the poor quality of leadership. Under current management the following issues have occurred: (1) drastic drop in student population (moving from over 900 students at one point to about 400 students presently), (2) an increase in the number of transfers requested by parents for students to other schools in the region, (3) a drastic drop in results at the CXC and CAPE examinations.
The school has also been embroiled in many scandals involving issues related to pecuniary abnormalities and the recent issue of racism, which caused six teachers to request transfers. These issues have inevitability eroded staff morale and have affected their ability to deliver the curriculum to students who are in their care.
Investigation after investigation has been done by Ministry of Education officials. An investigation was even conducted by the Ministry of Social Cohesion. The findings from these investigations have highlighted poor quality of leadership, their inability to work together and how these factors have collectively affected the development of the school. In point of fact, based on findings from a recent investigation, an administrative transfer letter was issued to the DHM (ag) to take up a substantive post in another school.
However, that transfer was countermanded and a directive was issued that the HM and DHM (Ag) continue to work together. This decision has left a corrosive taste in the mouths of many teachers and parents. The decision begs a very important question, if these school officials have failed to work together over the past five years for the continued development of the school, what makes the Education official who reversed this decision think they will be able to do so now?.
I am requesting that swift action be taken and that these officials be removed from this school, so that it can once again live up to its motto, “Progress through Cooperation”. It is time for change! In conclusion, I urge Ministry of Education officials to consider the importance of the phrase “No School Left Behind!”

Concerned Parent
Orlando Fraser

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