After protest, Santa Familia RC School gets a new principal
A heated standoff between parents and the administration of Santa Familia Roman Catholic School which saw its enrolment sit out classes for the past two weeks has finally come to an amicable solution. That’s the word coming today from the Ministry of Education. News Five’s Isani Cayetano found out that students are finally heading back to classes
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
On Monday, May seventeenth, News Five reported on an emergent situation between the residents of Santa Familia Village and the school’s principal surrounding numerous allegations of mismanagement. A protest was held outside the school’s compound the following day where the outpour of parents sent a direct message to the Catholic Mission for immediate change in the way the school is being ran. Unsatisfied with the solution, the management came up with students and parents once again took to the picket line demanding the permanent removal of Antonia Flowers as the school’s principal. Today, after ten school days students are being informed that they should return to their classrooms on Monday.
According to Deputy Chief Education Officer, Carol Babb a new principal is scheduled to replace Flowers as of the start of the new week.
Carol Babb, Deputy Chief Education Officer, MOE
carol babb
“Santa Familia is a Roman Catholic School so when there was this controversy with the parents and the principal the first person to intervene would be the manager. So we pretty much left it up to the manager but we were there as mediator to ensure that things go the way it should and that proper procedure and processes were followed. We were concerned of course that the children were out of school for a period of time and so of course we had our manager there to ensure that things go the way it should. And I’m happy to announce that the management, the Catholic management has announced that the principal Ms. Antonia Flowers will be transferred to another school and on Monday a new principal Mr. Najarro will be taking over as of Monday until the school year ends.”
Isani Cayetano
“Where does the Ministry of Education factor into the investigation against Mrs. Flowers regarding the numerous allegations being made by residents against her?”
Carol Babb
“Well as you know Isani those were allegations and we can’t really do anything. We are waiting for the investigation to be carried through. When the results of the investigation become known to us then we will take action thereafter but at this time we can’t do anything. Due process must take place. Of course we’ll have a hearing and try to investigate. When I say we it will be management, the union, the Ministry of Education. We will try to do an investigation to try to find out exactly what went on; what’s the real situation with all the allegations. But at this time she’s innocent until proven guilty.”
Isani Cayetano
“Ms. Babb, at the heart of all of this are the three hundred plus students enrolled at Santa Familia RC. They’ve been out of school for the past two weeks. How does the Ministry of Education and the Catholic Management propose to make up for all this lost time?”
Carol Babb
“Well next week Isani we intend to meet with the Catholic Management and we will meet together with the union and with them and determine how we will make up for the last two weeks that the children have lost.”
Among the allegations brought against Antonia Flowers is the selling of the school’s library building to her sister for use as a residence. Flowers is also accused of misappropriating school funds which were collected in the name of purchasing books and other items. Initially, the Catholic Management opted to promote Rudolfo Tun to replace Flowers but residents of Santa Familia objected to his appointment and kept their children at home. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
Among the allegations brought against Antonia Flowers is the selling of the school’s library building to her sister for use as a residence. Flowers is also accused of misappropriating school funds which were collected in the name of purchasing books and other items. Initially the Catholic Management opted to promote Rudolfo Tun to replace Flowers but residents of Santa Familia objected to his appointment and kept their children at home.
