- Norman GrindleyA parent takes time to make his point during an emergency closed-door PTA meeting at Munro College in St. Elizabeth yesterday.
Rayon Dyer and Erica Virtue, Staff Reporters
THE Parents Teachers Association of Munro College, St. Elizabeth, blasted Education Minister Burchell Whiteman yesterday for overturning a board decision to expel five boys for ganja smoking, saying that his action was a slap in the face of the school's administration.
They said the Ministry of Education was hypocritical and one was overheard saying that if the five boys were to return to the school "it make sense that we all go and plant ganja."
At an emergency meeting called by the PTA at the Munro College auditorium, yesterday, the decision was taken by the association to support that of the board of governors and that of the principal of the school.
President of the PTA, Sonia Francis, in a statement after the closed-door meeting, said that the parents of the boys were given the option to withdraw them from the institution, however, they refused to take up the offer, after which the board made the decision that the boys be expelled.
"The Munro College PTA resolutely supports the principal, the discipline of the school and the decision of the school board to expel the five boys," she said. "We are in total disagreement with the Minister and we consider the decision as a slap in the face of the administration of the school".
According to parent Earl Powell, the Minister "blundered" in his decision to overturn that of the Munro board. He said it was "nothing but a gateway for indiscipline in the school".
The media was barred from the meeting but the angry shouting of some of the parents could be heard from the outside.
"The indiscipline at Munro has been a longstanding issue, and it is time we address it, even if we are to go through the Ministry of Education," said a member of the group.
"Munro College is on trial for something it should never be on trial for, we need to protect the reputation of this school, Munro is suffering now... We need to get to the bottom of this issue. The enemy of Munro College is not us, but the enemy is people like Burchell Whiteman with a political system that can overturn a decision taken by a school board," said another person in the audience.
Meanwhile, contrary to the position of the PTA, head of the Munro/Dickenson Trust, professor Owen Morgan implies that the boys should be readmitted to school but only after they have tendered an apology.
"I believe the boys, and their parents should write a letter. Individual letters or a collective letter and apologise to, I don't know if it's... the school community or the nation. But they should apologise..." he said late Friday evening in an interview.
The five who confessed, were expelled from the school, while the sixth and the extortionist, were suspended and re-admitted. An appeal to the Ministry of Education by the parents saw Education Minister, Burchell Whiteman, overturning the board's decision and instructing the school to re-admit the boys.
The Minister's ruling hinged on a technicality in the Education Act - The Code of Regulations, 1980, which governs the administration of public schools. The technicality, The Sunday Gleaner understands, was found under Article 33 of the Act, entitled Suspension of Students, sub-sections 1-3. The Minister's ruling cited that there was a breach of due process as double punishment was given.
Professor Morgan said in the letter of apology, the boys should say thanks for the support they have received from those wanting them to get a second chance, but they should also apologise for their part in the rift rocking the school at this time.
"And in response, Munro should use this, (apology) as a glorious opportunity to show the country that it can rise above this, and still show the caring and nurturing that the school is known for, and give the boys a chance to further their education...," he said.
Professor Morgan said he, along with other qualified medical professionals, have committed themselves to assisting the boys with therapy, which he said will be of necessity as the eyes of the entire community will be on them.
According to him, the boys should realise that they are not heroes and have not won anything, except a second chance to make something good of their lives. At the end of the day, he said, the school can feel proud that it would have played a part in their rehabilitation.
The boys were denied boarding by the principal in a counter move which has been cited as vindictive by some supporting the position to re-admit them. They are, however, expected to return to school tomorrow.
