Two weeks ago, we told you about the 2 teachers from Belmopan Baptist High School who are being investigated because they are accused of having inappropriate sexual relationships with their female students.
This time the Ministry of Education is taking a back seat after being burned on previous occasions in other schools when it tried to intervene and go over the head of the schools Board.  This time, the Minister explained, it’s strictly hands off, and eyes-on:
Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education
"The managing authority of the school is the decision makers when it comes to any kind of action that needs to be taken in that regard, but that due process must also take place. I know that the case is being tried - if you will - and that they are taking action to give due process to the people who are involved."
Jules Vasquez
"So, once due process is given, if these persons are found to have indeed exploited their students, is it the express wish of the Ministry of Education that these persons not be teaching again, and be stripped of their licenses?"
Hon. Patrick Faber
"Well, I don't know the circumstances. I don't know what they will find, and we cannot just go on our feeling if it cannot be proven and things are not there."
Jules Vasquez
"Are we able to trust the management because a. the management hired them, b. we presume that the management hired them based on some denominational considerations. So they are part of the church's fraternity, and so then, the management is always trying to avoid embarrassment, and minimize public exposure. So then, are we able to trust them?"
Hon. Patrick Faber
"Let's make a distinction between the proprietors and the management. The Managing authority is the board, and the board is really a representative body. It is made up of parents, a representative from the staff, members from the block that the proprietor has, and a ministry official. So, if all of these people are closing their eyes to church management protecting own, then we have serious problems in our system."
Jules Vasquez
"If persons who are teachers engaged in inappropriate relationships with students of an age of sexual consent - I just want to be unequivocally clear - the Ministry frowns upon that?"
Hon. Patrick Faber
"Yes, we do, and in fact, it is against the law. That is considered an offense. It doesn't matter if you are at the legal age or not. That is an offense under the Education Act and rules. You cannot engage in that kind of behavior at the secondary level."
Viewers may recall that in August of 2012, public scrutiny was focused on the Belmopan Baptist High School after it emerged that former principal, school counsellor and pastor, Normal Willacey was having an inappropriate relationship with one of his former students.
Email
Print