Dear Editor,
During the Christmas term of the school year 2024-2025, certain incidents occurred at my workplace which greatly affected my wellbeing and work life. I remain affected although more than a year has gone by because I’ve been stonewalled by the relevant personnel. I need my matter to be addressed and resolved amicably by education officers of the Ministry of Education, specifically the Chief Education Officer, Mr. Saddam Hussain. My mental health continues to be affected, and I find this state of affairs grossly unfair to me.
I believe that due to my public writings on workplace issues, I was targeted by certain individuals including education officer(s). In 2024, I felt the need to air my concerns about workplace matters that were directly affecting me. However, before writing publicly, the issues were highlighted internally to the relevant persons, but the situation remained unchanged and I continued to be affected. For instance, I wrote about curriculum (https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/2024/10/08/putting-the-cart-before-the-horse-on-the-curriculum-at-annandale-secondary-school/[1]) and textbook issues (https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/04/24/opinion/letters/annandale-secondary-school-needs-spanish-textbooks/[2]).
After my letters were published the desired changes occurred, but I became a target. Anonymous persons started calling my workplace with complaints about me. Although, no evidence was presented, my superior told me that he was instructed to give me ‘reprimand letters’. I pointed out the absurdity of this and no letter was issued. However, within a week, a parent visited my workplace and accused me of ‘raising’ his daughter’s anxiety whom he claimed has medical issues. I explained to the parent that my conduct was in line with the guidelines on interacting with and disciplining students. My position then and now remains the same; I did nothing wrong. Nevertheless, the next day I was accused of physically assaulting the same student by an education officer although he did not show me any evidence to substantiate his claim nor was I told of what I’d allegedly done to warrant the label of ‘assault’.
An investigation and inquiry were supposedly held by the officer and his colleagues. I was never questioned or asked for my side. And I was never provided with copies of any report/documents regarding the matter. Nevertheless, in various letters to the relevant officials/entity (MoE, GTU, DoE, SBS etc.) I stated what occurred and requested that the matter be addressed and resolved in a transparent and fair manner. I didn’t receive any response to my letters. Furthermore, I wrote publicly about my ordeal with the aim of getting it addressed (https://www.stabroeknews.com/2024/11/15/opinion/letters/my-letters-to-the-media-have-contributed-to-improvements-in-annandale-secondary-school-for-which-i-am-now-a-target/[3]) but that didn’t happen.
In January 2025, the Board of Governors of the school informed me that the mentioned education officers recommended that disciplinary action be taken against me although I still wasn’t informed of what I’d allegedly done wrong and hadn’t received copies of any documents/evidence regarding the matter from anyone. To the board, I stated what occurred with the child who may be a special needs student. I was never given access to her medical records. Also, I never received special-needs training, the school is not a special needs school, and my method of interacting with and disciplining students falls within established guidelines set by the ministry for a regular public school.
I haven’t received any sort of feedback from the board or any other relevant entity since then. I don’t know what the findings, conclusion or recommendations regarding this matter were. I reached out twice to Mr. Hussain but there still hasn’t been any communication from the involved parties. This situation has caused me undue stress and affected my mental health tremendously. I even sought the service of a lawyer to get the situation addressed and receive some form of justice for what I have endured from education officers, but I’ve been unable to find a lawyer with courage (the more polite word). I wrote about my ordeal (https://www.stabroeknews.com/2025/09/12/opinion/letters/am-yet-to-find-a-lawyer-who-is-willing-to-take-my-case/[4]).
Editor, I have been defamed professionally and was humiliated in the
presence of my colleagues with a ‘trumped up charge’. Furthermore, other stakeholders such as my students and their parents have been affected because the matter is left unresolved and I fear that other whimsical accusations could be thrown at me if I am not cleared in the correct manner by the relevant authority.
Also, after the meeting with the Board the Headteacher allowed me to view the contents of my personal file for the first time and I was left shocked. I saw letters with allegations against me that I’ve never received copies of nor was I made aware of these allegations and therefore, I was denied my right to respond. I even saw ‘anonymous’ letters that are comical and unbefitting of being placed in someone’s file. For instance, an anonymous person made the accusation that I am boring. I feel that these letters which I’ve not been allowed to respond to, were placed in my file with the intent to besmirch my reputation as a professional and affect my advancement in the field.
This is unjust. If allegations are made against me and there is no evidence to substantiate the claims, then these should either be thrown in the garbage, or I must be allowed to respond. If placed in my file, my response must be attached to the allegation. Apparently, professionalism and objectivity are sorely lacking in administration.
Given the fact that I have been burdened with undue stress, mental anguish and smeared professionally over this situation which was caused entirely by educational officers who failed to follow correct procedures when dealing with a complaint, I am requesting a signed Letter of Apology from the CEO and at least one hour of face to face interaction with him. I want him to actively listen to my concerns and suggestions. I believe that my request is just and the bare minimum. I approached him twice about the matter and I believe that he could have used his authority to direct the involved education officers, who are his subordinates, to produce the evidence for their accusation and to deal with the matter in a swift, fair and transparent manner.
My mental and physical wellbeing, in addition to my work life have been unduly affected due to his failure to take action and direct his officers to treat me as a valued employee. I need closure. Editor, I patiently await my signed letter of apology from Mr. Hussain. One should have a heart, care about employees and make them feel valued when required. Good leadership involves empathy, communication, fairness, transparency, objectivity and behaving in an ethical manner. What sort of leader is Mr. Hussain? He needs to demonstrate.