Our Readers' Opinions
June 22, 2007

Senior teacher should get first preference for principal-ship

22.JUN.07

EDITOR: Sometimes it baffles me as to the criteria used to select persons for principal-ship. It is widely rumoured that government ministers have a say in who becomes principal of schools placed in their constituency. When persons apply for this position, short listing is done presumably by the Ministry of Education and then an interview is carried out by the P.S.C.{{more}}

I am wondering if the Education officers have a say in the choice of principals. These officers are in charge of certain schools and know the performance of teachers. They know about teachers’ regularity, punctuality, lesson plans done, attitude among others. Why should one of two questions asked in an interview determine who gets principal? Or what does a minister know about the performance of a teacher to recommend him/her for principal?

I want to suggest to the P.S.C. to select principals this year based on qualification, age, experience and performance.

The 12 best persons should be selected and placed in the 12 schools, advertised throughout the island. There aren’t any ‘hard areas’ anymore in the country as transportation is readily available.

A child from Sandy Bay for instance gets to Girls’ High School for 8:15 a.m., so a principal can also get to a school once selected for 8:45 a.m.

Please treat the teachers with fairness. They have worked hard and deserve what belongs to them. Given the older teachers who satisfy the criteria suggested first preference for principal-ship. The younger teachers have time on their side.

Not Satisfied