Jade returns - St Hilda’s hailed for reinstating head girl

The Ministry of Education and the Opposition's deputy Spokesman on Education, Robert Nesta Morgan, have both welcomed the decision by the Board of St Hilda's Diocesan High School to reinstate Jade Bascoe to the position of head girl.

The decision followed a meeting of the board last Thursday.

According to the education ministry, it is satisfied that the issues concerning all parties were adequately ventilated.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry Elaine Foster-Allen said the incident at St Hilda's High has pointed to the need for the ministry to draft some simple guidelines for schools regarding the issue of faith being a criterion for holding office in student governance.

According to Foster-Allen, the guidelines should reflect the Education Regulations as it is important to preserve the constitutional rights of individuals as highlighted by the public defender.

For his part, Morgan said St Hilda's did the right thing in reinstating its head girl.

"I know St Hilda's will continue to make a positive contribution to the education system. I also know that many of us have learnt important lessons from this incident. We wish both St Hilda's and Ms Bascoe continued success," said Morgan.

Up to late yesterday, there was no indication if Jade would accept the post, but sources indicated that the teenager, who was stripped of the post because she was reported to be of the Jehovah's Witness faith, is set to take back her post.

The school board has also said during discussions with Jade and her mother, Rhonda Clarke, that both indicated that they would welcome the student's reinstatement to the position of head girl.