‘Crime’ being committed against pan in Union Island says teacher

by Chanolde Munroe

The deputy principal of the Union Island Secondary School (UISS) Dr Anthony Stewart, who is also the school’s music teacher, says he would like to know what was done with money that was donated by the Palm Island Resort for the development of pan on Union Island.

“Palm Island had given $24,000 to the Pan Against Crime committee for the development{{more}} of pan on Union Island, so I reasonably expected that some of the resources would be available to me in that regard,” Stewart said during a visit to SEARCHLIGHT, last Friday.

He said although it was reported to him that his school’s steel orchestra was entitled to some of the money, he was not sure, so he sought answers at the Headquarters of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, where he was advised to visit the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Godfred Pompey.

According to Stewart, it was the poor manner in which he was received by Pompey that prompted him to visit SEARCHLIGHT.

“I made my inquiries and I got nowhere with them. When I went to Mr Pompey, I asked him what resources are available that I can access in terms of money; he was not receptive at all.”

Stewart said although he explained to Pompey that he is the person at the school responsible for pan, Pompey refused to speak to him, because he is not the principal.

The music teacher stated that over the years, the school’s pan orchestra has faced financial difficulties and relies solely on volunteer help and money spent directly from his pockets.

He said even the Youlou Pan Movement, which had pledged support, fell short of their agreement.

“This year, the Youlou Pan Movement promised to give us $4,000 to help cover the costs of the tuning and helping with an arranger and transportation. They only gave us $2,000: $1,000 for the boat, $500 for the tuner and the arranger,” the music teacher disclosed.

“I incurred all these expenses and seeing that they fell short on their commitment, I expected that perhaps the Pan Against Crime would have been able to assist. Seeing that they have resources available that should be spent in development of pan.”

Stewart also complained about the orchestra being withdrawn from competition at the last minute, by the school’s principal.

“We participated in Panorama every year until some time ago, the principal, like a day before we are to come, he says ‘alyo not going.’ He just decided we not coming here to play.”

Stewart said the orchestra’s lack of participation in the competition makes it difficult to get persons to help them and volunteer their time.

“The people who help us to practise, they are volunteers; they are not paid people…It makes it more difficult for us to get people to volunteer,” Stewart lamented.

When SEARCHLIGHT contacted Permanent Secretary Pompey on Tuesday, he confirmed that Stewart did indeed visit him last Friday and that the Palm Island Resort had donated funds, through the police, for community pan on Union Island.

“…So, the funds are for that and not for the school, so I don’t know who gave him that information,” Pompey said.

The Permanent Secretary said funds given to the Pan Against Crime programme are managed by the Commissioner of Police. He said recently, a summer programme was conducted on Union Island and the tutors were paid on a weekly basis from the money that was donated.

“So, we have no dealing with the school where those funds are concerned,” Pompey reiterated.

He explained that the manner in which Stewart approached him last Friday was one of the reasons he refused to address the matter with the teacher.

“What was most upsetting was how he started his conversation, that ‘he is the music teacher at the school and it is an injustice to pan on Union Island because he has received no funds’.

“So, I didn’t give him another opportunity to speak, because I told him first, I am not entertaining him, because he is not the principal, and I procedurally would deal with the principal, as far as pan is concerned,” Pompey stated.

The Permanent Secretary related to SEARCHLIGHT an incident when a pan tutor, sent to Union Island from the police band, had confrontations with Stewart, who was of the view that any arrangements concerning pan at the school should be made through him, not the principal.

“He feels that everything should come through him and I indicated to Mr Stewart that he is not the principal of the school, hence, I am not dealing with him. If there is a need for any assistance, let the principal write the Ministry of Education, who will channel it to us,” he explained.

Pompey said he has tried on multiple occasions to help the school, however, Stewart continues to resist, so he has rested the matter.

The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that he has written a letter of complaint to the Ministry of Education about last Friday’s incident.

“As a senior public servant, I have never encountered an individual with such an attitude… as Mr Stewart and for this individual to file a report with the media on a matter that is totally out of his league speaks volumes,” Pompey stated.