Unfortunate gender bias
published: Wednesday | June 21, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE CURRENT problems arising from the selection by the board of a female to become principal at St. George's College is representative of a broader problem in the society. That teachers and parents are against the appointment of a female principal is unfortunate and speaks of the gender bias that still exists in our society. This gender bias - toward males for certain leadership positions - was on display a few months ago in the People's National Party's presidential race.

It seems to me that a major part of the problem is that there is the underlying notion that a principal's gender - within the context of a non-coed secondary/high school - should match that of the student body. Roman Catholic-oriented high schools - whether by coinci-dence or on purpose - have traditionally followed this principle. For example, Immaculate Conception and Holy Childhood High, both non-coed schools, have traditionally had female principals. Conversely, given that Campion College is a coed school, the selection and subsequent appointment of the current female principal at Campion was not met with the sort of tension that currently surrounds the selection of a female principal at St. George's.

In my opinion, gender should never play a role in positions of leadership in any institution throughout Jamaica. It's time for gender bias to be put aside and the primary focus put on competence, honesty and decency.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK A. GALLIMORE

pagalley@hotmail.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica