Education Ministry explains

In a statement to the media on Tuesday, the ministry said given the recurrent delays and adjournments since the incident and the initiation of the tribunal, the decision was taken by the Ministry of Education to preserve the integrity of the tribunal process.

“In the (case of) Anthony Leach versus the Public Service Commission, Justice Judith Jones ruled that after a period of four years of the Commission’s failure to determine a matter, the undue delays constitute to a breach of citizens’ rights to a fair trial.

In another matter, the Privy Council ruled that the courts must balance the fundamental right of the individual to a fair trial within a reasonable time against the public interest in the attainment of justice.” The ministry said the tribunal proceedings against the teachers began in July 2013 and was called approximately 20 times between that date and March 17 this year and on each occasion the Ministry of Education was ready to proceed.

It said the ministry had five witnesses prepared to give evidence in the matter.

“The matter was adjourned on multiple occasions for reasons beyond the ministry’s control including absence of officers charged and change of chairman appointed to hear the matter.”