marvinrzgibson
12-22-06, - 11:45 PM
December 21st, 2006
The Hon. Alfred M. Sears, M. P.
Minister of Education
Ministry of Education
P. O. Box N-3913/14
Nassau, New Providence
BAHAMAS
RE: URGENT CONCERNS/South Andros District
Mr. Minister,
• MR. ANDRE NAIRN, Principal, South Andros High School
It is alleged that on Monday, December 11th, 2006, Mr. Andre Nairn, the Principal of South Andros High School, on allegations solely based on rumors from an unnamed source, suspended six (6) students, who were in the middle of sitting Christmas Term Examinations, from the South Andros High School, for allegedly being involved in drug-using activities. It is further alleged that the activities for which these students were suspended didn’t even take place on the school’s campus.
While all six (6) students were instructed not to return to school until January 11th, 2007, with their parents, at least one (1) of the students was allowed to return school during the week of the suspension with full permission from the Principal. It is alleged that he admitted to the Principal that he was involved in the activities of which he and the others were accused and, on this premise, he was allowed to return. Of course, I am advised that this did not happen without the aggravation of a diligent parent who insisted that the Principal was wrong for the precedent that he took in this matter.
Ms. Merle Flowers, the mother of Latario Flowers, one of the students suspended in the incident, approached me about investigating the matter and further requested that I assist and advise her in communicating with the Principal in the hopes of having him allow her son to complete his exams either at school or in a setting of his choosing. However, all attempts, which were initiated as early as Tuesday, December 12th, 2006, to have Principal Nairn give fair consideration to this matter has come to naught as he absolutely refused to give the mother the opportunity to meet with him and, unfortunately, the exam time has now passed. To add insult to injury, when a call was made to Mr. Nairn to allow the mother an appointment to meet with him regarding this matter he hung up the phone without allowing the request to be heard.
Further, a thorough investigation has been executed into the matter and by all accounts, it appears that Latario Flowers is innocent of the allegations made against him. Unfortunately, it was also discovered, during the course of the investigation, that at least two of the students were actually guilty and at least one of these individuals was allowed to return to school. Be assured that a written report of this investigation can be produced upon written request by the relevant authorities.
Be further advised that, as far as I’m aware, no official report has been made to the police or any of the relevant authorities regarding this incident even though it is alleged by Principal Nairn that drugs or drug paraphernalia was involved in the incident.
When I spoke with the District Superintendent, Mrs. Paula Adderley, on Monday, December 18th, 2006, she advised that she had only heard about the matter recently and wasn’t fully aware of the intricate details involving this incident. After updating her on the matter, I assured her that no evidence supporting the allegations made against Latario Flowers or the other students had been produced and, thus, these children were innocent until proven guilty; she, verbally, agreed with my sentiment.
Mr. Minister, on behalf of the mother of this child who has asked me to represent her case to you, I beg that you hear her appeal and make a judgment that will be less detrimental to the educational development of one of the future products of our nation. I plead with you to hear the cry of this citizen and allow justice and fair play to take its rightful role in the educational system implemented in South Andros by the Central Government of The Bahamas.
• Alleged Racial Profiling/Prejudicial Discrimination
Mr. Minister, it is alleged that during the course of his leadership at the South Andros High School, Principal Nairn has made discriminatory references to teachers of other races and, in particular, those of the Caucasian persuasion. Unfortunately, a number of these persons are working for the Ministry of Education on a contractual basis and so there is the fear of repercussion if it were found that they reported these incidents to higher authorities.
A number of teachers have, anonymously, made complaints about the treatment that they have received and even some students have voiced concerns about the obvious friction flowing among school authority and faculty members. It is alleged that recently a number of students were having a discussion about talented persons throughout the community and the mention of the name Andre offended Principal Nairn, whose first name is Andre, who was passing by the classroom at the time; so much so that he dashed into the classroom, insulted the students and left without giving a rational explanation for his unwarranted reprimand.
Mr. Minister, understand that while some of these allegations may seem farfetched, as a concerned citizen of this community, I’ve made a number of attempts to communicate with Principal Nairn on these matters, to have a better understanding of what is really taking place, know that facts of the incidents and to attempt dispel the rumors that continue to circulate regarding the same. However, all of these efforts were met with one of the following results, i.e. either Mr. Nairn was in a meeting; he didn’t want to discuss the matter; or, when I was fortunate enough to reach him, he just slammed down the phone on me.
Personally, I’m of the view that Principal Nairn’s continued presence in the South Andros District, while portraying such an abrasive reputation, dictatorial attitude, and controversial leadership would not be in the best of the Ministry of Education, the South Andros High School patrons or the South Andros Community. However, it is hoped that these matters can be reasonably resolved in the best interest of all concerned.
• Epidemic Sickness/Deep Creek Primary School
Mr. Minister, during the week of December 3rd, 2006, more than half of the student population of Deep Creek Primary School were infected with some sort of virus that made them all ill, caused severe headaches, induced vomiting and diarrhea and resulted in other fever-like symptoms. While the local medical team did their best to stabilize some of the victims affected by this mysterious epidemic, a number of parents ended up having to take their children to New Providence in an effort to seek such remedies as would assist in relieving some of the children’s suffering.
Unfortunately, this illness also proved to be contagious as a number of parents and other family members, of some of the victims, who had no reason to be in the vicinity of Deep Creek Primary School later contracted the illness and subsequently the symptoms that came along with it and the consequences thereof.
I’ve been advised by representatives of the Department of Environmental Health Services and the Ministry of Health that tests are being done on the water from the well that was drilled to facilitate the school and also to the building itself, which was recently exterminated, to determine the possible source of this illness and to prevent further possible outbreaks. The testing of the water from this well is critical as I’ve been advised that a proposal has been made for this well to be utilized to accommodate the Deep Creek Pre School, which is scheduled to be operational by January 2007, as well. I’ve also been assured, by the District Superintendent, that a comprehensive report has been forwarded to the relevant authorities in the Ministry in New Providence regarding this incident and the subsequent investigation relative thereto.
Mr. Minister, it is hoped that the local school authority will be advised by the relevant authorities within in Ministry, to utilize an appropriate, alternative meeting place to conduct school business and other educational activities until such time as an investigation has been completed into this matter and it is determined that it is safe for the students to re-enter the Deep Creek Primary School’s premises.
• Opening of Deep Creek Pre School
Mr. Minister, officials from the Ministry of Education committed that the two (2) Pre Schools constructed in South Andros would be opened and ready to provide services to the South Andros Community by September 2nd, 2006. As a result of this assurance a number of parents went ahead and prepared their children for the beginning of the 2006/07 school year.
However, while Long Bay Cays Pre School was ready to cater to the community, the Deep Creek Pre-School was not furnished, nor was running water available to make this facility fully functional. A number of parents have made attempts to get answers as to when the school will ready but these efforts to get responses from the relevant authorities within the Ministry of Education have proved fruitless.
I have communicated with the District Superintendent who has assured me that she is convinced that the authorities are working diligently to have the property operational by the next school term, i.e. January 2nd, 2007, and this information was, allegedly, confirmed by Ms. Agatha Archer, a representative of the Ministry, to one of the parents so concerned. Further, the District Superintendent advised that, if there were any changes regarding the date for the opening of the Deep Creek Pre School, the Ministry would post announcements to this effect for the benefit of the general public.
Mr. Minister, this is a difficult time for all of us and the parents in this community are really hurting. It is hoped that the Deep Creek Pre School will be ready to accommodate the eager parents and children who are waiting to utilize this facility. We are confident that you will spare no expense in your endeavor to see to it that this is done.
Marvin R. Z. Gibson
Concerned Citizen
MRZG/…
cc:
Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie
Prime Minister
Office of The Prime Minister
Mr. Shanty Richards
Department of Environmental Health Services
Mrs. Paula Adderley
District Superintendent
Ministry of Education
Mr. Andre Nairn
Principal
South Andros High School
Officer-In-Charge
Kemp's Bay Police Station
Royal Bahamas Police Force
Mrs. Alicia Rahming
Principal
Deep Creek Primary School
Mr. Cecil Thompson
Director
Ministry of Education
Mrs. Bernadette Rolle
Principal
Deep Creek Pre School
Officer-In-Charge
Miriam Green Community Health Center
Ms. Merle Flowers
The Hon. Alfred M. Sears, M. P.
Minister of Education
Ministry of Education
P. O. Box N-3913/14
Nassau, New Providence
BAHAMAS
RE: URGENT CONCERNS/South Andros District
Mr. Minister,
• MR. ANDRE NAIRN, Principal, South Andros High School
It is alleged that on Monday, December 11th, 2006, Mr. Andre Nairn, the Principal of South Andros High School, on allegations solely based on rumors from an unnamed source, suspended six (6) students, who were in the middle of sitting Christmas Term Examinations, from the South Andros High School, for allegedly being involved in drug-using activities. It is further alleged that the activities for which these students were suspended didn’t even take place on the school’s campus.
While all six (6) students were instructed not to return to school until January 11th, 2007, with their parents, at least one (1) of the students was allowed to return school during the week of the suspension with full permission from the Principal. It is alleged that he admitted to the Principal that he was involved in the activities of which he and the others were accused and, on this premise, he was allowed to return. Of course, I am advised that this did not happen without the aggravation of a diligent parent who insisted that the Principal was wrong for the precedent that he took in this matter.
Ms. Merle Flowers, the mother of Latario Flowers, one of the students suspended in the incident, approached me about investigating the matter and further requested that I assist and advise her in communicating with the Principal in the hopes of having him allow her son to complete his exams either at school or in a setting of his choosing. However, all attempts, which were initiated as early as Tuesday, December 12th, 2006, to have Principal Nairn give fair consideration to this matter has come to naught as he absolutely refused to give the mother the opportunity to meet with him and, unfortunately, the exam time has now passed. To add insult to injury, when a call was made to Mr. Nairn to allow the mother an appointment to meet with him regarding this matter he hung up the phone without allowing the request to be heard.
Further, a thorough investigation has been executed into the matter and by all accounts, it appears that Latario Flowers is innocent of the allegations made against him. Unfortunately, it was also discovered, during the course of the investigation, that at least two of the students were actually guilty and at least one of these individuals was allowed to return to school. Be assured that a written report of this investigation can be produced upon written request by the relevant authorities.
Be further advised that, as far as I’m aware, no official report has been made to the police or any of the relevant authorities regarding this incident even though it is alleged by Principal Nairn that drugs or drug paraphernalia was involved in the incident.
When I spoke with the District Superintendent, Mrs. Paula Adderley, on Monday, December 18th, 2006, she advised that she had only heard about the matter recently and wasn’t fully aware of the intricate details involving this incident. After updating her on the matter, I assured her that no evidence supporting the allegations made against Latario Flowers or the other students had been produced and, thus, these children were innocent until proven guilty; she, verbally, agreed with my sentiment.
Mr. Minister, on behalf of the mother of this child who has asked me to represent her case to you, I beg that you hear her appeal and make a judgment that will be less detrimental to the educational development of one of the future products of our nation. I plead with you to hear the cry of this citizen and allow justice and fair play to take its rightful role in the educational system implemented in South Andros by the Central Government of The Bahamas.
• Alleged Racial Profiling/Prejudicial Discrimination
Mr. Minister, it is alleged that during the course of his leadership at the South Andros High School, Principal Nairn has made discriminatory references to teachers of other races and, in particular, those of the Caucasian persuasion. Unfortunately, a number of these persons are working for the Ministry of Education on a contractual basis and so there is the fear of repercussion if it were found that they reported these incidents to higher authorities.
A number of teachers have, anonymously, made complaints about the treatment that they have received and even some students have voiced concerns about the obvious friction flowing among school authority and faculty members. It is alleged that recently a number of students were having a discussion about talented persons throughout the community and the mention of the name Andre offended Principal Nairn, whose first name is Andre, who was passing by the classroom at the time; so much so that he dashed into the classroom, insulted the students and left without giving a rational explanation for his unwarranted reprimand.
Mr. Minister, understand that while some of these allegations may seem farfetched, as a concerned citizen of this community, I’ve made a number of attempts to communicate with Principal Nairn on these matters, to have a better understanding of what is really taking place, know that facts of the incidents and to attempt dispel the rumors that continue to circulate regarding the same. However, all of these efforts were met with one of the following results, i.e. either Mr. Nairn was in a meeting; he didn’t want to discuss the matter; or, when I was fortunate enough to reach him, he just slammed down the phone on me.
Personally, I’m of the view that Principal Nairn’s continued presence in the South Andros District, while portraying such an abrasive reputation, dictatorial attitude, and controversial leadership would not be in the best of the Ministry of Education, the South Andros High School patrons or the South Andros Community. However, it is hoped that these matters can be reasonably resolved in the best interest of all concerned.
• Epidemic Sickness/Deep Creek Primary School
Mr. Minister, during the week of December 3rd, 2006, more than half of the student population of Deep Creek Primary School were infected with some sort of virus that made them all ill, caused severe headaches, induced vomiting and diarrhea and resulted in other fever-like symptoms. While the local medical team did their best to stabilize some of the victims affected by this mysterious epidemic, a number of parents ended up having to take their children to New Providence in an effort to seek such remedies as would assist in relieving some of the children’s suffering.
Unfortunately, this illness also proved to be contagious as a number of parents and other family members, of some of the victims, who had no reason to be in the vicinity of Deep Creek Primary School later contracted the illness and subsequently the symptoms that came along with it and the consequences thereof.
I’ve been advised by representatives of the Department of Environmental Health Services and the Ministry of Health that tests are being done on the water from the well that was drilled to facilitate the school and also to the building itself, which was recently exterminated, to determine the possible source of this illness and to prevent further possible outbreaks. The testing of the water from this well is critical as I’ve been advised that a proposal has been made for this well to be utilized to accommodate the Deep Creek Pre School, which is scheduled to be operational by January 2007, as well. I’ve also been assured, by the District Superintendent, that a comprehensive report has been forwarded to the relevant authorities in the Ministry in New Providence regarding this incident and the subsequent investigation relative thereto.
Mr. Minister, it is hoped that the local school authority will be advised by the relevant authorities within in Ministry, to utilize an appropriate, alternative meeting place to conduct school business and other educational activities until such time as an investigation has been completed into this matter and it is determined that it is safe for the students to re-enter the Deep Creek Primary School’s premises.
• Opening of Deep Creek Pre School
Mr. Minister, officials from the Ministry of Education committed that the two (2) Pre Schools constructed in South Andros would be opened and ready to provide services to the South Andros Community by September 2nd, 2006. As a result of this assurance a number of parents went ahead and prepared their children for the beginning of the 2006/07 school year.
However, while Long Bay Cays Pre School was ready to cater to the community, the Deep Creek Pre-School was not furnished, nor was running water available to make this facility fully functional. A number of parents have made attempts to get answers as to when the school will ready but these efforts to get responses from the relevant authorities within the Ministry of Education have proved fruitless.
I have communicated with the District Superintendent who has assured me that she is convinced that the authorities are working diligently to have the property operational by the next school term, i.e. January 2nd, 2007, and this information was, allegedly, confirmed by Ms. Agatha Archer, a representative of the Ministry, to one of the parents so concerned. Further, the District Superintendent advised that, if there were any changes regarding the date for the opening of the Deep Creek Pre School, the Ministry would post announcements to this effect for the benefit of the general public.
Mr. Minister, this is a difficult time for all of us and the parents in this community are really hurting. It is hoped that the Deep Creek Pre School will be ready to accommodate the eager parents and children who are waiting to utilize this facility. We are confident that you will spare no expense in your endeavor to see to it that this is done.
Marvin R. Z. Gibson
Concerned Citizen
MRZG/…
cc:
Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie
Prime Minister
Office of The Prime Minister
Mr. Shanty Richards
Department of Environmental Health Services
Mrs. Paula Adderley
District Superintendent
Ministry of Education
Mr. Andre Nairn
Principal
South Andros High School
Officer-In-Charge
Kemp's Bay Police Station
Royal Bahamas Police Force
Mrs. Alicia Rahming
Principal
Deep Creek Primary School
Mr. Cecil Thompson
Director
Ministry of Education
Mrs. Bernadette Rolle
Principal
Deep Creek Pre School
Officer-In-Charge
Miriam Green Community Health Center
Ms. Merle Flowers