Opinion: The school should not become a battle field

Saba News has received the following comment on the article “Open Letter to Commissioner asking for progress report on SCS”. The comment is so detailed that we want to give it similar attention as the Open Letter that we published earlier and to which this comment refers. Click here for the Open Letter.

We suggest that you read this contribution in the proper context, so click on the contribution from SMH in the “Recent Comments” section at the right side of our homepage.

Comment of SMH:

Well what can I say! You wanted the school board gone so they are gone and I guess there is no one to pull in the reigns cause all they can do now is be used to sign checks. Jus a few things that are on my mind as a parent who is normally not vocal.

1. For the past years that my children have gone to SCS, I personally have taken my time to go to the school to receive report cards. Now I think it just ridiculous the accusations above about the teachers being off island due to work related meetings. And I stress “WORK RELATED”!! during the reign of the former director teachers were normally on island and not even attending work related meetings, yet not present for parents to speak to them during report time. I have encountered this every single time that I have collected report cards, where I want to speak to a specific subject teacher however they are not there! Why??? Oh simply because they do not need to be there because they don’t have a home room.
   Yet mind u I do believe they get paid for a 8 hr day. And interesting how all of a sudden the Don Guru and parents have turned on a certain teacher who is in Statia to “meet her husband.” What’s wrong has she gone over to the other side so she is now public enemy number one?! She is no longer actively advocating for you so you throw her under the bus!? tsk tsk

2. You all talk about parents speaking up however I remember last year when a certain parent spoke up in concern for her child she was bashed and accused of all sorts of ludicrous things but I guess u just want parents to speak up about what you want.
   I remember parents speaking up about at least three of the teachers that left yet you want them reinstated! But oh yes I guess that was not publicized now was it.
   Let me see, if I recall the street talk correctly, one complaint was about a teacher physically and verbally attacking students, another was about another teacher not doing her job and the possibility of the business community pulling out of the job training programs and last but not least a group of parents constantly complaining about what was happening at the school because a whole class was failing and what was the school doing about it!!
   Now as I see it, the past board, whether we like them or not, had a decision to make. Non renewal of contracts and parents hit the roof, which is what happened!! Or renew the contracts, screw the failing children, who cares about them anyways, screw the businesses who needs them and hell bring back corporal punishment in school. Maybe that’s what these unruly and disobedient students need. I ask you is this what you wanted?
   The way I see it by the non renewal of certain teachers the board acted in the benefit of the children. They had no loss or gain by renewing or not renewing contracts.
   And the political gain I keep hearing about, please enlighten me because I must have suddenly turned blonde!! Had they kept these teachers on you would now be bashing them because your children failed, your children were abused by the teacher or no longer had a job training program.
   In my opinion all this fuss over the children really is not over the children at all. You don’t really care about the children, this whole fuss was concerning getting rid of the board and reinstating the former principle. Well hooray the board is gone, one down, one to go!

3. As for unqualified teachers, during the former principals term there was also unqualified teachers. Teachers that have told me themselves that they have had to come up to the standards which the Dutch requires. So why all of a sudden such a fuss about this. This unqualified teacher replaced someone who took students that were at A/B levels and brought them down to C/D levels by time of Exams. Why not complain about that??? Ooops…but no, wait , that is not in your benefit now is it?

4. During a meeting held at the school for us the parents with the board, OCW and Commissioner, it was publicly stated and asked of all of us to step forward or appoint at least two new members for the board. To date that has not been done. Had you all wanted change, you would have stepped up to the plate and made a change. But no, change is not what you want, it seems by your actions all you are looking for is trouble. Regardless of the negative effect you have on the school, the teachers who are trying their hardest to move on and most of all the constant negative effect you have on the children.
   My questions were answered in that meeting and by the continued actions of certain parents it answered a lot more questions concerning the talks of parents and former teachers having personal agendas against the former board and it definitely confirms beyond a reasonable doubt the statements made by certain parents and former staff that they would make the new teacher/director’s life a living hell. If you want change try and be the change and try and come forth with solutions rather than laying blame and pointing fingers because a lot of fingers can be pointed over the past two years.

5. As for an inspection, how much more do u want or expect? OCW came in and went over the decisions of the board, the voogdijraad did the same and so did the inspection. The next option maybe His Majesty?? Come on ppl, if nothing was deemed wrong by three bodies up till now, do you think it will by having another inspection.
   As far as talks go the former board was guilty of lack of communication! The only person who was not in agreement with the board was Commissioner Johnson and in my opinion that was because of politics but he had no choice to go along with decisions because there was nothing illegal or wrong with them. And now you are all killing him! Smh

6. As for the principle being on vacation, the same way you received the information concerning the teachers going to Statia and what they are doing and the principle going to Bonaire, why did u not report the context of his meetings in Bonaire. As I hear it he has gone to meet about all the reports and policies that should have been made during the last two years but ooops I guess our brilliant and perfect former principal did not get a chance to do them seeing he was too busy making every one happy!!
   So guess what it looks like our newly hated principal needs to pick up the slack and the work that needed to be completed in three years now has to be completed by him in one!! And then you wonder why he is so serious? Really???

7. As for the report that the principal made, that article was so poorly written that I cannot even give it merit!

8. From all I have heard, the school has become more serious and people are being held accountable for their job. They are now expected to come to work on time, or miss out on hearing new announcements, they now have to do additional tasks in there classrooms, which, yes, I hear they are required! From all appearances the new principle has made things a little more strict and less relaxed than the former principal. God forbid you have to work on little Saba where anything goes! Reality check! For those of you who take advantage, if you were in your own country you damn well know you could not get away with half you do here on Saba.

Finally I would just like to say, there are always two sides to a story and we all know that too well from living on such a small island. From experience and if I have to be honest with myself, the TRUTH generally lies in between. The school has been turned into a battle ground because ppl have a point to make. This is an unhealthy environment for the children that are studying. This creates a harsh environment for our teachers to teach. In the end the children will lose, not because of the current teachers and principal but because of you. Because of the negativity and hostility you as concerned parents are instilling in the school. In the end you have only yourself to blame. Not the Commissioner, not the former board, not the new principle and teachers. YOU, YOURSELF! Some of us parents as well as teachers have moved on. And please, tell me not that teachers have not moved on because more than you picked up report cards.

The parents and citizens with common sense will see between the lines and they will see what is right from wrong. I myself have brought my children through this by positive reinforcement. Forget not that it is not only your kids who come home complaining about the school but it is also other children, like mine, coming home and wondering when this will be over, when will parents stop, why cant things be normal again.

Not only have your kids spoken up but others have as well, they want to study, they want to move on but by constantly attacking the school YOU are constantly demotivating and harming the children. Turn it around, if you want to fight, fight positively. The constant negative bashing and blaming in the local news is a constant strain and harm to all at SCS, most importantly the kids. This is not what you should be teaching your kids!

These are my thoughts and I thank Saba News for publishing them. I will not responds to any comments made simply because I don’t condone this and I have already gone against my better judgement by writing this but enough is enough. Remember ALL of our children have rights, not just yours!