Francis T.A. Joseph
1st June 2015
Hon. PeterSt.Jean
Minister of Education and Human Resource Development
Government Building
Roseau
Dear Hon. St. Jean,
DOMINCA STATE COLLEGE
I write to raise a grave concern relating to the Dominica State College our premier tertiary institution for our up and coming leaders of Dominica.
It has been brought to my attention, and I seek your clarification that the State College Board of Directorshas not been functioningfor over a year now which goes in contravention of Section 7 of the 2002 Dominica State College ACT 4: which reads as follows:
“Establishment and functions of the Board”
“There is hereby established for the purpose of the management of the College a body to be known as the Dominica State College Board of Governors.”
The Act also makes reference to its specific functions: among them being:
(a)To provide for the welfare of the staff and students of the College
(b)To formulate the policies of the College
(c)To ensure that the policies of the College are implemented
(d)---
(e)To cause proper accounts of the financial affairs of the College to be maintained and audited.
(p) To inquire into and adjudicate upon disciplinary charges against students or members of its Academic and other staff;
….and Sir, other pertinent matters referring to and affecting the smooth operation, management processes and decisions making of the College, key to this is the safety, protection of its students and staff and other interests groups of the College.
Mr. Minister, as a past Board Member myself, in absence of a functioning Boardfor over a year You,the Minister is hereby obligated to answer to Parliament, the College staff and students, their parents and the public why is it that the College has been operating without its principle decision and monitoring body the Board of Directors.
The question also begs itself;
- Who is supervising the President of the College and to whom is he accountable?
- Who is performing the role of the Board and to ensure the monitoring of its finances, decision making as relates its finances, other key policy matters and the auditing of the College`s accounts according to the State College Act.
It has been further brought to my attention when I called the College and enquired as to whom the current chair is and the response was:
“There is no Board right now. Haven`t had one for about a year”.
Also in further enquiring I was further advised that:
“……from what I have heard many staff members signed a letter to the Minister of Education requesting that a Board be installed”.
This is worrying sir and under your watch and principle custodian of the College this is a very poor and alarming situation. I say so in particular with the rising increase in the harassment and sexual abuse upon our young females & students in Dominica and other Caribbean Education Institutions. This positions the State College in a vulnerable situation where these students may not feel they are secured in the event that they may have to report these matters not knowing directly which or what authority within the College walls they should feel comfortable and confident to do so.
Two weeks ago a letter from the NGO Coalition was sent to the Chairman of the Board of the State College reference to an article in the Sun Newspaper (February 2015) “Pulling for Peters”.The NGO Coalition letter is advising the Board of the proper protocol in reporting these matters and not seen to be publicly protecting a staff member at that level of President where the victim(s) are without a voice. This is not right and must not be allowed to repeat itself.
I wish to alert the Minister of the following:
GENDER-BASED ATTACKS HAUNT UWI, MONA
Tyrone Thompson, Staff Reporter Sunday Gleaner – Jamaica Sunday February 1st 2015:
“It is a problem which has plagued the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, for years: Sexual harassment and other gender-based violence on the halls”.
The full article is attached for your information.
I therefore urge you to use your good offices, if this situation does exists, to have the State College Board of GovernorsRe-instated soon in accordance with the ACT Section 2 “Establishment and Functions of the Board”.
Yours respectfully
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FRANCIS JOSEPH
SOCIAL WORKER – CHILD PROTECTION ADVOCATE
Cc: Circulated All Media Houses –
Relevant Government ministries and Officers - Other interest groups