Dear Editor,
IT is with great concern and deep-seated frustration that I pen this letter to ascertain why officials at the Ministry of Education, including the Minister of Education, have turned their backs on the current state of affairs at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School hereinafter referred to as N.A.M.S.

This school has often been associated with academic excellence, once ranked third (3rd) in the country based on CXC and CAPE results, and recognised both locally and regionally in the areas of Sports and Theatre Arts.
However, the image of this school has been tarnished by the poor quality of leadership.

Under current management the following issues have occurred:

(1) drastic drop in student population (moving from over 900 students at one point to about 400 students presently),

(2) an increase in the number of transfers requested by parents for students to other schools in the region,

(3) a drastic drop in results at the CXC and CAPE examinations.
The school has also been embroiled in many scandals involving issues related to pecuniary abnormalities and the recent issue of racism, which caused six teachers to request transfers. The issues mentioned have inevitably eroded staff morale and affected their ability to deliver the curriculum to students who are in their care.

Investigations have been done by Ministry of Education officials. An investigation was even conducted by the Ministry of Social Cohesion. The findings from these investigations have highlighted poor quality of leadership by the HM and DHM (Ag), their inability to work together and how these factors have collectively affected the development of the school. In point of fact, based on findings from a recent investigation, an administrative transfer letter was issued to the DHM (ag) to take up a substantive post in another school.

However, that transfer was countermanded by the Chief Education Officer and a directive was issued by him that the HM and DHM (Ag) continue to work together. This decision has left a corrosive taste in the mouths of many teachers and parents. The decision by the CEO begs a very important question: if the HM and DHM (Ag) have failed to work together over the past five years for the continued development of the school, what makes the CEO think they will be able to do so now?

Contextually, it should be noted that the CEO and the DHM are very close friends and one must wonder if nepotism played a role in his decision. I am requesting that swift action be taken and that the HM and DHM (Ag) should be removed from this school, so that it can once again live up to its motto, “Progress through Cooperation”. It is time for change! In conclusion, I urge Ministry of Education officials to consider the importance of the phrase “No School Left Behind!”

Regards
Concerned Parent Orlando Fraser