Devon Dick
Last Sunday, a large group of retired principals and teachers worshipped at the Boulevard Baptist Church, St Andrew. This group of hard-working, humble professionals has served the country faithfully. And many teachers, after giving so much of themselves, cannot cope based on the pension they are receiving.
It is, therefore, most unfortunate that Prime Minister Bruce Golding said in Parliament, "The government has removed tuition fees, we are not allowing schools to find some other way of extorting, I use strong words" (July 22). These are not only strong words but explosive words. It appears that school administration is a cesspool for extortion.
Compromising position
Extortion implies self-aggran-disement, which is an outrageous allegation against the teaching fraternity.
And if the prime minister has such evidence, he has a civic responsibility to inform the police about extortion. Paradoxically, school administrations can be seen as agents of the state and would be compromising the Government, because the ultimate beneficiaries of the extortion would be the Government.
A Gleaner editorial has excused the prime minister's remarks, while Yvonne McCalla Sobers, human rights activist, has warned Golding about his tendency to 'trace'. The prime minister's tongue is too easily drawn and he should heed the biblical injunction to tame his tongue.
In a previous article, I had asked opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller to forgive Golding for the remark about 'termites' and resume the Vale Royal Talks.
However, this comment of linking some principals to extortion has passed the 'mercy seat'. Extortion is immoral, illegal and has the idea of enriching the extortionist. This is a serious charge that has dire consequences if true or false.
Defamation of character
The prime minister made this remark in Parliament, thereby elevating it to the official records of the country. He did not produce one iota of evidence to support his comment and must be strongly condemned for such a reckless defamation of characters.
According to the Webster's Dictionary, the word extort means 'to obtain from an unwilling or reluctant person by physical force, intimidation, or the abuse of legal or official authority" Which principals are doing that? I have never heard of any school turning away a student because the parent has not paid those fees.
The auxiliary fees are used to supplement the school's budget. Therefore, the Government should say that all parents who cannot pay the auxiliary fees, the Government will pay in order to prevent a collapse of the education enterprise.
The Government also should revert to the system of paying the schools' utility bills so that the administration will have fewer problems. And fund-raising should not be part of the portfolio responsibility of principals. Principals should concentrate on getting better CXC results, without having the distraction of fund-raising.
And, to ensure that all parents know that auxiliary fees are voluntary, the principals should stop issuing vouchers for auxiliary fees, stop having a fixed amount and, instead, write a letter asking for contributions payable in cheque or cash, based on ability to contribute.
Apology due
The records of Hansard need to be expunged of that Golding comment! And if Golding will not apologise, then the members of parliament must disassociate themselves from such a remark. Golding ought to apologise, otherwise, it leaves the door open for principals to be classed as extortionists by irate parents at the drop of a hat.
The relationship between teachers and parents could deteriorate because of the image created. Teachers are going to be quick to engage in industrial actions to the detriment of students. And principals might engage in passive resistance - not giving a full 100 per cent or being fervent about the funding of schools.
Rev Devon Dick is pastor Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building'. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.
