Teachers from Sydney Pagon Agricultural School up in arms

Some senior teachers at the Sydney Pagon Agricultural High School located in Elim, St. Elizabeth, are upset over a reported proposal for the institution to be handed over to the University of the West Indies.

Four past presidents of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) and the President Elect, Paul Adams, met with about 22 teachers at the institution on Monday to discuss the issue.

"We are calling on the Ministry of Education to immediately (halt) the implementation of any contract or agreement to change the status of the Sydney Pagon Agricultural High School. We’re (also) requesting that if the University of the West Indies Mona, Campus has any interest in the Sydney Pagon Agricultural High School, assisting them, then discussions must be held with the teachers at the institution, the Parent Teachers’ Association, the Student Council, the JTA, the political directorate and any other stakeholder so as not to compromise the terms of conditions of those within the Sydney Pagon Agricultural High school," said Mr. Adams.

Monday's meeting highlighted concerns about the planned move and how it will affect teachers and other employees as well as the fate of the students.

The Member of Parliament for North East St. Elizabeth, Kern Spencer, said he was not aware of any plans to change the status of the school.

"What has shocked me even more is that when I spoke to the former Chairman of the Board of the school, Moses Dodd, and the present Chairman, Kingsley Morris, both are unaware of any such discussions. We’re not fighting against development, if the UWI wants to establish a campus in St. Elizabeth, we welcome such a development. There is ample land, right here at Elim as well, where an institution of that nature can be built," he said.

RJR News contacted a Ministry of Education spokesperson who said he would make contact with senior Ministry officials about the matter; however no response has yet been forthcoming.