Director of Education Clare Brown engages stakeholders at Townhall Meeting (screenshot of State Media)
It was a packed house earlier this week as the Ministry of Education met with parents and other relevant stakeholders over the imminent merger of the Glanvilles and Pares Secondary Schools.
Education Minister Daryll Matthew and two senior officials of the Ministry hosted a Town Hall meeting at the Glanvilles Secondary School on Monday to provide information and qualm any major concerns.
Director of Education Clare Browne was one of the two senior officials present and assured parents that the ministry is committed to ensuring that it is a smooth transition for all students and faculty.
“The school is in in good condition and the school would be in even better condition before the summer ends,” Browne said.
While assurances were made, many in the public have condemned the ministry for their handling of the matter as decisions were made before any consultations took place with parents and other stakeholders.
Those same grievances were shared on Monday evening.
It was back in June that news broke about the proposal for the merger of the two secondary schools due to their low student population.
Dr. Jonah Greene reported to the Cabinet that the merger is essential due to declining enrolment numbers at both institutions.
Glanvilles Secondary School currently has 163 students, while Pares Secondary School has 178 students.
These figures have resulted in unsustainably small class sizes and underutilized subject offerings, prompting the need for consolidation.
Dr. Greene reassured Cabinet members that the merger will not disrupt students or staff. All current students from Glanvilles will be accommodated at Pares Secondary School, while teachers will either be reassigned to other educational institutions or retained within the Ministry of Education system.
As part of the overall transition, the Cabinet also endorsed a recommendation from the Ministry to repurpose Glanvilles Secondary School as the new home for the School of Agriculture.
This strategic move aligns with the Government’s broader commitment to enhancing food security and increasing access to specialized agricultural education and training.
Glanvilles Secondary School is well-equipped to support this new direction, featuring essential facilities such as a Home Economics Department, a Science Laboratory, animal pens, a hydroponic unit, and established farm plots.
The proposal was approved by Cabinet and since then plans are in motion to prepare for the new academic year which begins in September.
Assessment teams have been actively evaluating the infrastructure of both schools.
Their goal is to identify necessary upgrades to ensure that the newly merged institution provides a safe and welcoming environment for all students.
Might as well give this joker some work to do! He’s the nation’s highest paid janitor – coming out with mop and bucket to clean up the spills. Never hear from him BEFORE critical pre-decision discussions. He always appears on scene to clean-up any vomit spilled. So sickening to watch/listen to.
The Ministry keeps talking about facilities and numbers, but what about the students’ mental and emotional adjustment? Moving schools isn’t easy for kids.
Let’s hope the transition is as smooth as they say. Children’s education shouldn’t suffer because of poor planning.
You make a decision…implemented it abd then come to ask us if we okay with it? Wonderful.
At least the Minister came to talk to the community. You all know this is the best move- you just upset because you wanted control. Well get over it and stop talking about how you hope kids will adjust. Don’t they adjust when they pass their exams and have to move on to another school? Besides, an Agricultural school is needed in these trying times so that food security can become a reality. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day..teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime. So get over your butt hurt and look at the bigger picture.
I think the parents should have been given some more time to digest this decision
I have serious concerns about the merger of Glanvilles and Pares Secondary Schools. While I understand the intention behind it, I worry that combining these two distinct schools might lead to a loss of identity and unique programs that each school currently offers.
There are also concerns about overcrowding and resource allocation—will the merged school have enough facilities and staff to effectively cater to the increased number of students? Furthermore, parents and students should have a say in how this transition is managed; their voices need to be heard.
The potential impact on the quality of education, student morale, and community involvement is something that should not be taken lightly. A thorough, transparent discussion is needed to address these issues instead of rushing into a merger that may not serve the best interests of the students involved..
A public meeting is a start, but trust only grows when we’re included from the beginning, not just brought in to nod along.