KINDLY permit us a space in your letters column, in response to a letter in your May 4, 2009 edition captioned ‘Berbice student being harassed at school’ by Shirley Lewis.

The Parent Teachers & Friends Association (PT&FA) of the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, working as a body for parents, teachers and extending more so to the welfare of its student, summoned a meeting to discuss the contents of the letter and to bring closure to the matters raised – all for the benefit and in the interest of the child’s welfare.

Toward this, an invitation was sent to Mrs. Lewis by registered mail on Saturday, May 16, 2009 inviting her for a meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 10 hours. A check at the post office revealed that the mail was received on Tuesday May 19, 2009 by Carla Hooper, daughter of Mrs. Lewis who resides in the same house.

On the date of the meeting, May 21, 2009 at 10 hours, members of the PT&FA, the headmaster, the accused teachers and administrative staff together with a representative from the Department of Education, Region 6 were seated in the school’s conference room

We waited until 12:00 hrs, (2 hours) after the meeting time. To our disappointment Mrs. Lewis never showed up.

Further to date of this letter June 1, 2009 no form of communication was made to any member of the PT&FA or the school in relation to our invitation. Should the letter on May 4, 2009 be seriously considered?

We’d like to bring to the attention of all the relevant authorities concerned that the school works in the best interest of EVERY child.

We take this opportunity to remind the public that under the present administration, the school has excelled tremendously at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) examination in 2007 and 2008. In 2008 it was rated one of the top secondary schools in the region (CSEC Examination Analysis, NCERD). It was also judged one of the most improved schools by NCERD, (published in Guyana Chronicle News Paper, February 14, 2008).

Under the same headship the school has also recorded successes at Science Fairs, in the Literacy and Reading Competition of the Commonwealth Organisation in 2008, and also at debates, just to name a few. Sports and athletics locally, nationally and

Inter- Caribbean has also gained credit.

It is unfortunate that such allegations by Mrs. Lewis is surfacing against the institution and administration that is struggling against all adversities in a swiftly changing world to become a more distinguished institution among other educational entities.
PT&FA BODY
Skeldon Line Path Secondary School