Hopewell High School on edge as principal returns to work

WESTERN BUREAU:

Unrest is brewing at Hopewell High in Hanover as many teachers and students have seemingly abandoned the institution since the return of Principal Byron Grant last Friday. Grant had been absent from the school since the December 2023 murder of the bursar, Jermaine Roberts.

Roberts was shot dead just outside the school gate by gunmen who appeared to be waiting for him.

At the time of the shooting, Grant was inside the school and reportedly ran into a glass door, sustaining serious injuries that required hospitalisation.

Since then, he had been on a long period of leave until his return last Friday.

On the day of his return, several teachers and students were not in attendance at the school.

When The Gleaner visited the institution to speak with the principal and look into the situation on Monday, our reporter was denied entry.

However, The Gleaner learned that only 17 out of 65 teachers had reported to work, leaving numerous classes unattended.

Dalton Hastings, chairman of the school board, did not provide an explanation for the absences.

“The majority of the teachers did not come out to work on Friday or today (Monday), but as a board, we can’t do anything unless we have documented evidence. We cannot act on speculation as we are a responsible board,” Hastings said. “The bigger picture is for the school, and we must ensure that learning takes place in a conducive environment.”

DECLINED TO SPECULATE

Asked directly if Grant’s return was connected to the absence of the teachers and students, Hastings declined to speculate.

“I would not want to go down that route, as I do not want to speculate that it has anything to do with his return. It would be irresponsible of me to say that. I cannot attribute anything to that,” stated Hastings, who did not want to provide a telephone number for the principal.

However, several parents gathered outside the school entrance blamed the unrest on Grant’s return. They argued that both the school board and the Ministry of Education were aware of brewing tensions but failed to address them.

“This situation has been dragging on for months, and nothing has changed. The school needs proper leadership. We cannot continue to send our children into this environment,” one frustrated parent told The Gleaner. “Decisions must be made by the ministry and the board; otherwise, parents may choose to withdraw their children, leaving the school empty.”

Meanwhile, Hanover’s police commander, Superintendent Andrew Nish, said the probe into Roberts’ murder remains open.

“The investigation is still ongoing, but I cannot provide further details,” he said.

bryan.miller@gleanerjm.com