It is being alleged that the principal of Thelma Gibson Primary School, Olivia Daxon, was in a physical altercation with a teacher at the school.
Teachers at the school staged a sit out saying that they have had enough and that Ms. Daxon should be removed. This is not the first incident involving the embattled principal. Teachers also say that she has stopped a reading unit and other programs and has victimized those who spoke out against her.
While at a signing event for a new industrial agreement, B.U.T president, Belinda Wilson said, “the teacher has made a police report. The union’s lawyers will be getting that report from the Elizabeth Estates Police Station today. The teacher will not drop the charges, she will stick to it. She is supported by the majority of the teachers at the school. In fact, we have had numerous complaints and concerns about Mrs. Daxon and if your memory serves you correctly as mine does, it was Ms. Daxon, in 2019, the principal that had to be removed from Carlton Francis Primary School for similar actions. I have sent a full report to the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, the Minister of National Security, the union’s lawyers [very late last evening] along with a petition that has a number of signatures, not only of teachers and teacher’s aides but staff on the campus and parents.”
While the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training did not confirm whether a physical altercation occurred, the minister responsible, the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin spoke to ZNS concerning the incident. She said, “we have asked for reports from BEMU, which is the managers union which represents the principal and from BUT which represents the teacher or teachers who are involved in any concerns or disputes and we are analyzing those as we speak. The incident was yesterday, we go them late last night. And so, the ministry will determine the best way forward. We cannot afford disruptions.”
The teachers of Thelma Gibson, who participated in the sit out, say they are not prepared to work with Mrs. Daxon any longer.
