Dear Editor,
THE verbal reactions of the Headmistress of the Bishop’s High School about her female students being “slack” and “loose,” sums up why such a scandal reported to have been taking place in her school for so long, could have happened. It is about the well-known culture of covering up very grave issues, a method so prevalent in many of our state schools.

This is not personal, for I am not an acquaintance or colleague of the school’s head. But, I claim the right as a citizen to express my thorough dismay and utter disgust at what I would describe as a callous and grossly irresponsible response from the head of one of this nation’s premier schools. Those past heads have to be shocked beyond belief. And the alumni, certainly speechless.

I am neither judge nor jury in this issue that is indeed a shocking scandal; as well as, there is the presumption of innocence until otherwise proven. However, the reports are definitely overwhelming and very grave, pointing to allegations that are to be answered by the school, the subject ministry, and above all, the educator at the centre of the allegations.

Our schools have become a thriving ground for many a pervert, under the cover of being educators. They thrive and feast on the many young female students. It is well known that many of these male educators use the authority at their disposal to impose themselves on their mostly powerless charges, especially the academically weak. Those forthright enough, to stand their ground have been able to escape the sexual clutches of these fiends.

However, there are others who are gradually worn down by subtle harassment, such as verbal embarrassment, and threats of being marked down in exams. All this is common knowledge to the many heads of these schools, and they do absolutely nothing, probably because it is not their daughters at the receiving end of such debasing.

That such criminality has continued is because these heads have either been feeble in their attempts at instituting disciplinary proceedings against such predators, or are afraid to do so, lest such unsavoury acts publicise their schools. The latter reason, I believe, is at the forefront of their dangerous inaction which is a very serious dereliction of duty.

Such condemnation of the female students as uttered by the school’s head is unconscionable, reckless, and reeks of victim-blaming. Heads of schools must be reminded that apart from being responsible for the academic side of their administrative duties, they are chief guardians of those young students in their schools, and are duty-bound to defend and protect their emotional and physical well-being.

All heads of schools must be reminded of the very high incidence of sexual abuse and low conviction rates which unfortunately, have become the norm in our society. It means that they have to be very pro-active as far as supervision of their staff is concerned.
This moves adequately to the question of, how much authority does a school’s head have in engaging such serious matters?

So many times when these heads are asked about such incidents at their respective schools, inquiries are always referred to the Education Ministry, which is said to be dealing with the particular matter. Without being judgmental, one gets the distinct impression that whatever it is, is often swept under the proverbial carpet.

I am in full support for adhering to a line of command, in terms of notification of incidents. However, what if there is no further movement in terms of an issue that is serious enough, such as sexual abuse, what should a school’s head do? This, I do perceive, is a serious hindrance for some heads who may be willing to take further action against the particular staff.

It is time that the ministry confronts this monstrosity that is alive and well within schools. It is endemic, and needs radical measures. Wherever it is perpetrated and those of its lascivious agents must not only be removed, but be placed before the courts for judicial action. Those heads who have been aware and deliberately covered up such abuse, should also face similar action. They have been failing to protect their charges in the schools. That is the reason why the Sexual Offences Act (2010) was enacted.

Regards
Earl Hamilton