Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Dismissed teachers converge on the Ministry of Education
GRADE 2 TEACHER of the Kingstown Preparatory School, Jeanell James (left), speaking with SEARCHLIGHT’s reporter Jada Chambers outside the Ministry of Education building in Kingstown.
Front Page
March 17, 2023

Dismissed teachers converge on the Ministry of Education

by Jada Chambers

About two dozen teachers gathered outside the Ministry of Education yesterday, March 16 seeking direction about their return to the classroom after a judge ruled on Monday, March 13 that they had never ceased to hold the posts to which they had been appointed.

High Court Judge, Esco Henry said in her judgement that the 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate, which deemed them to have abandoned their jobs because they refused to take the jab, is “unlawful, unconstitutional, ultra vires, disproportionate and tainted by procedural impropriety.”

Grade 2 Teacher of the Kingstown Preparatory School, Jeanell James was one of the teachers gathered outside the offices of the Ministry of Education yesterday. She told SEARCHLIGHT that on Wednesday, March 15, dismissed public sector workers were advised by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union and the Public Service Union to report to the workplaces to which they were assigned up to the point of their dismissal.

“The reason for that as was outlined in the meeting … is that according to Section 6 of the ruling that can be found on page seven, we are still entitled to hold our positions; and so upon reporting for duty today, I spoke with the principal because we were directed to report to our supervisors … so the principal directed that we proceed to the Minister of Education and speak to the permanent secretary,” James related.

“… in our presence, she called the permanent secretary and told him to expect us ….” She said two other teachers from the school were also victims of the mandate.

James said during a meeting with the permanent secretary Myccle Burke, he advised her that he cannot tell them to report for duties, neither can he tell them not to report for duties.

“So I asked if we were going to get a written letter communicating the position of the Attorney General’s office because he said that he was simply communicating the information that was asked of him [which is] to be passed on to us from the Attorney General’s Office.

“He said that he will communicate to the Attorney General’s office that we would like to get something in writing, then he went on to say that he cannot guarantee that it will be given, that is to say he cannot say whether or not it will be granted in writing, and he finally concluded by saying that whatever action we take, it must be done… within the confines of the law. “James said that her next step is to communicate what she learnt to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers’ Union and await instructions from them as to how to proceed.

Anne-Marie Ballantyne, a teacher of the St Grammar School, also spoke with SEARCHLIGHT about finally being re-instated after more than a year of being dismissed from her duties.

“I got a letter last February, a dismissal letter claiming that I am deemed to have resigned from my job and basically that I have abandoned my job. We know that is not so.

“Today, I am very glad without going back to too many things in the past right now. I want to celebrate the victory that we have had, that that letter is now void… It is unconstitutional and it is a breach of natural justice and I am glad that the judge has done the right thing in doing so. “

Ballantyne said that after reporting for duty on Thursday, she communicated with the principal who gave instructions to report to the Ministry of Education.

“I have seen the permanent secretary, Mr Burke, and he has said to me … he’s communicating to me the position of the state which is that they have filed an application today … an application for a stay [of execution of the judgement] and an application for an appeal.

“Basically, that’s the essence of what he said. Of course, I had some questions for him [like] what does that mean for us? He said, ‘Well if they get that stay, it means what the judge has done would be on hold’, but I reminded him [that] they have not gotten that stay yet if they will get it; and so I..[asked] in the meanwhile what are we supposed to do? So he said, ‘well the law is there and the law is clear’.”

Ballantyne said that the permanent secretary also told her that the schools may not have space for all the teachers.

“… I said to him, well that is something that you have to sort out because I’m still employed, so you will have to determine how you deal with that and if you don’t get the space, it obviously means that you are in breach of the law, you will be operating unconstitutionally.”

{"carousel":"Carousel"}
  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok