BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MINISTER OF EDUCATION the Hon. Nigel Carty has dispelled rumours that there were plans afoot to have Principal of the Basseterre High School (BHS) Carlene Morton transferred from that institution.
Several weeks ago, the rumours began circulating that she was to be transferred and possibly replaced by the Deputy Principal of that school. The rumours also suggested that the alleged plan to relocate Morton stemmed from her refusal to participate in a particular meeting with the Ministry of Education, in solidarity with the St. Kitts Teachers Union who were unrepresented there.
Speaking at a press conference held last week, Minister Carty said the rumours were “unfounded and I think they were mischievous and I say that in all honesty…”
According to Carty, the rumours began after the Deputy Principal met on a number of occasions with the Personnel Officer in the Education Ministry in Morton’s absence.
“I remember for example on more than one occasion, the Deputy Principal was called to the office of the Personnel Officer in the Ministry of Education in the absence of the Principal to make arrangements for certain things to happen at the school. Immediately thereafter there were charges that the principal was being removed and that there was a plan to install the Deputy Principal.
“She felt very offended she felt that in the least if a journalist who has credibility want to make those charges, he or she should at least attempt to make contact with any of those persons. To my mind that was not done because if it were done, I think basic facts would have been provided to show that no such conversation ever took place in relation to the Deputy Principal.”
He reminded that the Ministry has the authority to make transfers and had that been the intention, “that would have been known already because by this time of year, plans are already made to assign new teachers to schools and to transfer teachers between schools. That happens every single term.”
Carty informed however, that going forward, the Ministry would have an observant eye.
“But as to what obtains in the future, is a determination to be made based upon the progress that we make and based upon our willingness to adhere to proper advice because as Minister of Education, if I believe, if I know that persons are not willing to listen to the advice of persons who are trained to do so but wish to – of their own volition do other things…that could undermine what we are trying to do, then we will have to do what we have to do.
“But at this time, we have not made such a determination. We’ve had excellent cooperation and we will be observant as we move forward.”
