JFJ questions school governance after St. James High expels two students

   

Advocacy Group Jamaicans for Justice says the reported expulsion of two students from St. James High calls into question what it describes as the arbitrary use and abuse of power by the leadership of some schools.

 

JFJ adds that the incident also gives serious cause for concern about how schools are governed and their accountability mechanisms.

 

Two female students were said to have been expelled from the institution after a video of them kissing began doing the rounds on social media.

 

JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson says, if the reports are true, there is no justification for the disciplinary action that was taken against the students. 

 

"JFJ is calling for the immediate reinstatement of the St. James High School student. From what we have gathered, while one of the students has since found enrolment in another institution, the second child involved is still at home, not being able to get access to education, and that is very troubling and concerning for us," she said, adding that while an investigation is underway, the best interest of the child should be recognised in keeping with the Child Care and Protection Act, as well as the conventions that Jamaica is signatory to.

 

Ms. Jackson said the school's leadership has not been abiding by the governing regulations. 

 

"From what we have gathered, you have a principal that has been acting contrary to established protocols, regulations, and quite frankly, the law.... Again, we are reiterating that it is important and that the necessary investigations take shape. And should the principal be found wanting, it is important for transparency and accountability that the necessary disciplinary actions are so imposed," she demanded.  

 

The JFJ executive director also described as troubling the parents' accounts that they visited the Ministry of Education's regional office but were given no assistance until the matter came to the public's attention.