… And student body kept in while teachers strike
But that is not the end of things between Pallotti and Matura-Shepherd’s client since today it appeared that the school’s administration decided to keep the students indoors all day but not in regular class. Matura-Shepherd visited our newsroom late this evening to say what transpired during the course of the day and what she intends to do about it.
Audrey Matura-Shepherd
“Earlier today I was being contacted by Channel Five to ask if I knew that there was a strike at Pallotti High School as a result of an injunction I had gotten yesterday from the Supreme Court saying that a student had to return to the school. I said no because honestly I did not know about one but later this evening some time closer to five o’clock I got a call and was reliably informed that all day there had been a strike. But the reason the students—the teachers had been on strike—but the reason students were not able to contact their parents or tell anyone is that apparently there’s a phone booth that is usually opened by one of the sisters there on the compound and it was not opened today so no student could have called out to tell their parents what’s happening. Also, while the students were supposed to come out at about two-thirty, they weren’t released from the school compound until after four because the security guard was instructed not to allow them to leave. So what I understand I all day the teachers did not teach the students.”
Marion Ali
“So what were the students kept in doing?”
Audrey Matura-Shepherd
“Nothing, they were told by different teachers—I’m told reliably—that they can do whatever they want today because the teachers will not teach unless my client is removed from the compound. Now I think the crux of this is there’s a court order and I’m sure our teachers are educated enough to read the court order to understand that while they are not Pallotti High School, they are the servants and agents of the high school and the order specifically states that the defendants, meaning Pallotti High School, the principal and the board of governors are not in any time to prevent the claimant from attending Pallotti High School in uniform and in particular not to prevent her from attending regular studies and classes or be prevented in any form or fashion the claimant from attending her exams and any regular classes. So when they go on strike they’re in contempt of this order so I strongly advise they get their attorneys and they also consult union. Later this evening I also checked with the union; did they know about this strike? And I was flabbergasted to be told that no, they did not know about it and that almost just when I found out, they found out because finally when the students were released they were able to tell their parents or contact people and say what happened to their school. And they should be warned that when they hold back the students there, especially after the time they should have left classes, that amounts to false imprisonment and the parents if they need, they need to go to their attorneys and deal with that matter separately.”
Marion Ali
“What do you say to those parents who will maybe in some way feel that this is your fault, you’re brining a motion against the school and because of what’s going on, the teachers don’t want your student there, they made a decision and now their children have to pay for this?
Audrey Matura-Shepherd
“Well, first of all, I need to make it clear that it is not me who is brining the case. As an attorney, I act on behalf of a client and my client has every right to be at the school. I am sure parents out there are very educated and far more informed than what you think; they understand what is the constitution and they, I’m sure, understand that this country is a democracy and the rule of law is the pillar upon which our democracy exists. The rule of law means that this is the law of the land, if a court issues an order you are to respect it. If they enlighten themselves with the constitution they will realize that this is a constitutional matter that will go before the courts. To act at this point would be very premature and they should always remember too that there are many illegalities going on at different schools and different rules are unconstitutional and they never know when they’ll find themselves in that situation.”
Marion Ali
“But at the end of the day children are not learning their lesson for as long as this continues.”
Audrey Matura-Shepherd
“Well, I never got the impression that the students themselves are against the student going back. It is the teachers and I never got the impression that the parents are against the student going back. It is the teachers and I don’t think that I could find a way to explain to them what it means when you’re in contempt of court but I could read what the order says. It says “If you fail to comply with this order you will be in contempt of court and proceedings may be commenced against you for contempt of court and you may be liable to imprisonment.” But I’m sure all the agents who were instigating the strike today will get their attorney, will get legal advice.”
“This young lady, accusations were made against her, she had every right to appear before a disciplinary board and explain herself and thereafter—no that never happened. She was never given a fair hearing. It is unfortunate that this matter will have seemed to be played out in the media and so. I would have loved for it to remain just in the courts.”
We’ll continue to follow these developments.
