Elvis Daniel hired at St Martin’s Secondary School – Government to pay salary – PM

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has announced that Elvis Daniel, who contested the 2010 General Elections on a New Democratic Party (NDP) ticket, has been hired by the St Martin’s Secondary School and that the Government will pay his salary.{{more}}

Gonsalves said that a decision had been made for the Government to pay Daniel, after a request to do so was submitted by Jason Gordon, Bishop for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and Kingstown.

Daniel was one of three teachers who were not re-employed by the Government after they resigned to contest the 2010 elections. Daniel contested the North Windward seat against Unity Labour Party’s Montgomery Daniel, and lost.

The Prime Minister read from a letter sent to him from the Bishop, which stated: “The St Martin’s Secondary School is in desperate need of a Maths teacher and from all reports, Mr Daniel is very competent in this field. I am asking if the Ministry of Education would pay Mr Daniel while he is employed at the school,” the letter indicated.

“The St Martin’s Secondary School is hiring Daniel, not the Public Service Commission and I have indicated that I have nothing to do with the hiring of teachers,” Gonsalves said.

The Prime Minister said when a request is made for the payment of a teacher, that is when he becomes involved.

“And I have accordingly given instructions to both the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and the Director General of Finance and Planning that Daniel be paid as the math teacher at the St Martin’s Secondary School,” Gonsalves said. (DD)