Principals in Black

Calling their gathering a “fraternity meeting” so as to avoid disciplinary action for staging a protest, some principals from the South Eastern District wore black and gathered outside the South Eastern Education District Office yesterday to show their support for Paul. “This entire week, we are calling on all principals and teachers to wear black to stand in solidarity with Mr Paul,” said Cogland Griffith, President of the Primary School Principals Association.

But throughout the day yesterday, confusion reigned over whether Paul was actually “suspended” as was previously reported or merely asked to not report for duty pending the outcome of investigations into the alleged bullying attack against Tristan Khan in February.

In a release to the media, TTUTA President, Lynsley Doodhai, said Paul was formally served a “notice of suspension” from the Service Commission on Friday on account of a report from the District School Supervisor III who, after investigating, alleged that Paul committed “acts of misconduct by being negligent in the performance of his duties.” On the other hand, Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis yesterday said in a text message to Newsday that Paul was not “suspended”. “He has been asked not to report for duty which is non-punitive. The investigation is on-going.” Despite this, both Doodhai and Griffith say they remain unclear as to the actual reason for the action taken against Paul. Griffith is calling for an urgent meeting with the Education Ministry to discuss the matter. He said he hopes that the Ministry’s position that Paul was not suspended was not just semantics.

TTUTA yesterday showed its support for Paul, saying he will be given the full representation of the organisation as they believe he will be vindicated. “TTUTA is not convinced that the MOE carefully considered the facts before arriving at the decision to recommend to the Teaching Service Commission disciplinary action against Mr Paul. When due diligence is not observed the affected teacher suffers emotional and trauma and mental anguish.” Paul did not show up for work on Monday or yesterday.