Calabar High acting principal stresses student welfare amid tensions

Calabar High School’s acting Principal Sian Wilson is cautioning the school’s old boys’ and parent-teacher associations against making decisions that may not be in the best interest of students.

The message follows a decision by the Calabar Old Boys’ Association (COBA) to suspend its mentorship programme at the Red Hills Road, St Andrew-based school amid “longstanding” administrative issues.

The move was supported by the Calabar Parent Teachers’ Association (CPTA).

Wilson, who spoke with The Gleaner on Tuesday, said the mentorship programme, which had been in place for years, forms an “integral” part of Calabar’s school culture.

She said the school board and all stakeholders are in discussion over the suspension of the programme, which she believes will be resolved soon.

“No doubt that mentorship is an integral part of our school culture or curriculum and especially at a time like this. It is something that our boys – and young ladies, for that matter, in other schools – need,” said Wilson.

“So, I’m certain that in time, whatever it is that is going on will be resolved for the betterment of the students,” she added.

Her comment came on the heels of a cross-school conflict between Calabar and Mona High, which stemmed from an alleged love triangle involving a female student of The Queen’s School.

Several students were injured in a fracas that occurred in Half-Way Tree and forced the suspension of classes at Mona High just over a week ago.

The conflict triggered a slew of meetings with principals and the Ministry of Education and Youth to find a resolution.

“I just want to say that as long as we all remember that the objective is the child, the objective is the student, as long as we remain focused on that [and] we don’t lose the child or student as our objective, then we’ll be fine. The minute we lose them as our objective, then we have lost our way,” Wilson said.

The acting principal, who has been in the post for eight months, said she remains unclear about the issue that has caused the suspension of the programme.

“I really don’t know what it is that is happening with them. They are making a statement and we’re listening,” she said.

“The school board, in time, will manage all of this. I’m certain that as time goes by, all of these matters that are being aired in the public will be handled internally and the school will move past this situation,” Wilson asserted.

Both COBA and the CPTA have expressed objection to Wilson being recommended by the board for the permanent position.

The two groups have cited the school’s poor performance academically as one of their main reasons for the resistance to Wilson, who served as vice-principal for Calabar’s lower school for eight years.

The have also argued that Wilson lacks the experience needed to get Calabar back on track.

Board Chairman Reverend Karl Henlin said no decision has been made on who will become the school’s principal.

The position became vacant last August with the resignation of Albert Corcho.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com