Principal, teacher still on the job

YVONNE WEBB

Fyzabad Secondary principal Troy Jebodhsingh and physical education teacher Nigel Lakhan, both on bail for fraud charges, remain on the job, TTUTA president Lynsley Doodhai has confirmed.

Doodhai said that days after the two appeared in court, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has not issued any ‘cease to report to school’ notice, according to Regulation 88. As such, Jebodsingh and Lakhan, presumed innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law, are free to do their work.

TTUTA industrial relations officer Kyrla Robertson said although both men are on the job, she understands they have been served with disciplinary notices according to Regulation 90. Robertson said she did not see the notice and could not say exactly what it entailed. Doodhai said this indicates an investigation into possible misconduct is being or has been initiated.

More than likely, he said a school supervisor will be appointed to investigate allegations of misconduct, which is separate and apart from the criminal charges laid against the two.

Doodhai said the TSC is being very careful in how it treats with this situation, in light of high court action taken against the chief education officer Harrylal Seecharan and the Ministry of Education, when it removed Sookhoo Sonnylal as principal of the Siparia West Secondary school and replaced him with a school supervisor earlier this term.

The two appeared before San Fernando Magistrate Cherril-Ann Antoine on six charges related to alleged falsifying of CXC results to enable two students to enrol in the CAPE examination, so they could qualify to play for Fyzabad Sec in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premier division.

Joint charges were also preferred against them for uttering two forged CXC certificates at the Ministry of Education on September 5, knowing the same to be forged and with the intent to defraud. Jebodhsingh, 55, of Richardson Trace, Fyzabad, is also charged with misbehaviour as a principal and member of the commission and with submitting and authorising the submission of false documents to a school supervisor.

Meanwhile, Andy Paul, principal of Mayaro Government Primary, who was suspended in April over a bullying incident in February, has been interdicted. Robertson said what this means is that Paul, who was on suspension with full pay, will now be on further suspension with a reduced salary.

TTUTA industrial relations officer Justin De Freitas, who is representing Paul in this matter, said the principal was placed on three charges following an investigation by a supervisor.