12 teachers from New Amsterdam Multilateral demand transfers

Feb 10, 2018 News

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–PTA appeals for Education Ministry intervention

 The New Amsterdam Multilateral School, one of the premier high schools in Guyana, has several issues affecting the teachers and students of the learning institution.
One issue that should not have existed in the first place has attracted the attention of many within the Region, especially teachers and now the Regional Administration.
On Friday January 26, 2018 a meeting spearheaded by the president of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, Wayne Williams, saw the discussion of ‘Request for transfer of 12 teachers’ and ‘Racial Tension among teachers’ among other issues.
The meeting was initiated via letter that referenced the topics for discussion. It comes at a time when the deputy head teacher and the head teacher of the school are at loggerheads and are reportedly exhibiting racial tendencies amongst themselves. That is filtering down to the other teachers and students.
The PTA president stated that the situation has escalated to a point where he considered transferring his son from the institution. Other parents also wanted to do the same. However, it was a collective decision by the parents during the meeting held to make an attempt to deal with the issue, rather than run from it.
Weighing in on the matter, Regional Chairman, David Armogan, explained that the results at the CSEC level for the school “have begun to fall and that is because of the tension that has been developing”.
He stated that it was rather alarming that a meeting called by the PTA had racial tension and the transfer of twelve teachers on its agenda for discussion.
“This is a situation that is going to bring the school to its knees. Already, we are having many requests from parents to move their children out of the school. Should we allow that I think that the school will be empty?”
He is of the firm belief that with a situation as such, it could possibly tear the school apart and learning will ultimately become difficult. Armogan said that he has since spoken with the Chief Education Officer to intervene in the matter but he has not seen any progress.
“When the matter was raised before, the person who was acting as the deputy was transferred to another school. The transfer was rescinded because of representation made at a political level. That teacher remains there and the head teacher apparently is not able to command the respect from teachers and students. That school is going haywire,” the Chairman said.
Armogan and the PTA president are calling on the Ministry of Education to intervene immediately.
Twelve teachers have asked to be transferred to other schools since the situation has made the working environment uncomfortable among themselves and also the students.
Meanwhile, teachers across several schools in Berbice have expressed disgust at the entire scenario, one they said, should not have been a problem in the first place.
One secondary school teacher said, “Working with racial tensions is difficult because one will feel one is being victimised, treated unfairly and pressured…pressured to point of even losing one’s job.
“When teachers form cliques at school and students notice it, these groupings are about race, which will fuel racism and hate among the students”. She further added that school’s administrators and staff are supposed to educate children about togetherness and working together while exercising respect amongst each other despite the differences.
“I believe both the head teacher and the deputy should be removed from the school”.
She suggests sensitisation sessions for educators and students as an option to deal with the issue.
According to her, racial tension is already happening countrywide but to have it infiltrated into the school system shows how serious it is.
Another teacher, who has been in the profession for nearly two decades, explained that it is not only taking place at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School but surprisingly, at the majority of schools. She stated that division among staff has always been a chronic problem.
“The fact that it is coming from the administration of the school will only allow teachers to do the same. The environment would not be one that is suitable for work or learning. But I must say that even many may turn and a blind eye to this, it’s present in all schools; it’s just some are good at keeping it under cover”, she lamented.
She opined that that the DHM should have been given the transfer and not have it rescinded. “Move the DHM. Why have her in an environment where her presence is causing a conflict that is affecting the teaching and learning process?”
A letter dated November 22, 2017 that was sent to the board of the school by the Ministry of Education detailed that approval was given by the Minister of Education Nicolette Henry for the administrative transfer of Shaundell Phillips (Head of Department, English) from the New Amsterdam Multilateral School to the Vryman’s Erven Secondary School with effect from 2018-01-02.
The recommendation was based on a team visit which felt that the services of Phillips would be better utilised at the Vryman’s Secondary School. However, the decision was reportedly rescinded and Phillips remained at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School.

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