Parents protest transfer of Roseau Primary School principal

The parents have vowed to continue protesting

Parents of the Roseau Primary School on Monday morning protested the transfer of the principal of that school, Greta Roberts.

Roberts has been at the school for the past eight years and was transferred to the Goodwill Primary School. However, parents are not happy and are demanding that the Ministry of Education rethink that decision.

“We want our Greta back…she is going nowhere, she has taken the school from nothing and brought it way up,” one parent told DNO.

Another explained that she has four children at the school and she is satisfied with the level of work done by Roberts.

“I had taken them out but when Ms. Roberts came as Principal and from what I saw, I got them transferred back and I am happy,” she said. “This lady uses her own money for the development of the school, she is caring and loving and we love her. She is a leader and her teachers are also very happy with her.”

Roberts is no stranger to the Goodwill Primary School, where she is being transferred, having worked there for 15 years as principal.

Education officials are presently discussing the matter but reports are that Robert’s transfer will remain in effect.

Replacing Roberts is Sarah Serrant Abraham, who was acting principal at the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School.

The parents have vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met.

“We will not be sending our children to school until our demands are met, we will be coming there every day and they better take note of that,” they stated.

 

 

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43 Comments

  1. Lindy
    October 19, 2019

    I am appalled at reaction after a transfer.Public servants are transfered according to the need of the area.This principal is so so good other schools need her to.She is going to perform well.The new principal in question will continue the work. that was done.As parents work together with the new principle .She is not tne only one doing everything.The other teachers do should get the credit to.You hurt your kids if they stay home.Pray for your new principle and everything will be fine.God works in mysterious ways His wonder to perform.

  2. KiD ON THE BLOCK
    September 5, 2017

    Trouble THEY like. Everyone knows who they are and who they affiliate with. Their Master taught Them well! USELESS Wicked People

  3. irma
    September 5, 2017

    Now i have another suggestion lets shake up the whole Ministry of Education , transfer all of them from captain to crook.

  4. I'M NOT A PRIME MISTAKE!!!
    September 5, 2017

    :?: I’ve not read any good reason why the parents are protesting, their reason for wanting the Principal to stay is out of their selfish ego! Principal and teachers are supposed to do a good job at whatever school they work, therefore doing a good job is not a valid reason for demanding that she stays at that school! It’s a usual thing to have teachers and principals transferred,therefore you parents are protesting uselessly! Of all the things affecting the island that you all should be shutting down the island for,is this nonsense that you all want to waste time on :?: You all should come out instead to remove these rogues posing as government,before they finish destroying the island and there’ll be no schools to go to!!!

    • Waiting on God
      September 5, 2017

      the people in ministry who is making life EXTREMELY DIFFICULT for principals ,,,,,,,parents should demonstrate to have them remove……those who allow the structure of the school to go to fall apart…….those who putting their friends in position who cannot do the job,,,,,,,,,,parents should demostrate and have them removed

  5. Just PEEKING
    September 5, 2017

    hmmmmm…..I wonder why parents are dressed uniformed………why does everything that goes on in Dominica has to be political??

  6. Bezzle
    September 5, 2017

    It is not a new phenomenon to transfer principals. Sometimes the ministry needs to listen to the parents. That shows parents involvement in their students school lives and that’s what is most needed in the schools now.

  7. Mouton Batalie
    September 5, 2017

    Is so we come then. Anytime you sneeze in Dominica, police on you. Were the protests violent? Were there any threats? Were they disrupting any process? I mean come on man. We need to live in a free society where we can express ourselves without the threat of arrest.

    With that being said, parents, I am very happy that you were satisfied with the service from Ms. Roberts. Ms. Roberts is moving on. Be happy for her. In the meantime. send your children to school and give the new principal a chance. Good day!

  8. Irma
    September 4, 2017

    Dear parent
    I understand you all Well. Ms Abraham taught me in primary School and she was test! Ms Roberts is my family and taught my daughter and she is a Good example.
    Both have Their qualities and are Good at what they do. Please give Abraham a chance and take time to know her. From deputy to principal means she Can do it and she needs the support from all of you. You are unfortunately doing injustice to you huldren by keeping Them at home. First impressions last and that is not the picture you wish to create. If you already say that you do not want Abraham that this Will transfer to your children and later on Their performance. For your childrens sake Think positive and support her. Send flowers to Roberts and wish her Well.
    Ene

    • Waiting on God
      September 5, 2017

      Let Abraham go to a small school and prove herself there……..she should NOT JUST COME AND ENJOY ALL THE HARD WORK Ms. ROBERTS HAS DONE…………if Roseau Primary was in the poor state as it was before ,,,,,,,,,,Abraham WOULD NEVER WANT TO GO THERE,,,,,,,,,,,,,PARENTS DO NOT GIVE UP THE POWER LIES IN YOUR HANDS SHOW MELENA AND THE OTHER THAT POWER…….that’s all she can do ,,,,tell her GO CLEAN up the MESS she and her friends are creating in EDUCATION,,,,,,,,,,she herself said education has go ROUGE

  9. jaded
    September 4, 2017

    The Ministry has the right to transfer any teacher or principal whenever it wishes.

  10. bigger
    September 4, 2017

    What’s happening to our little Island every thing is a protest. No one has the God given right to stay in a job forever unless you are self employed. Good Police officers are transferred all the time so are Firemen etc. These woman must find work to do. Their children is the only loser

  11. Let The Truth Be Known
    September 4, 2017

    This is like a nice boss staff got accustomed to and then he/she is transferred or moving from one locality to another. Generally some people do not like changes. This is life and the manner in which the ball rolls. The authorities made the decision. Know that they will not relent. Obedience and resignation are necessary.
    She may be needed in that school to put wrong things right. Give her that opportunity. I am certain she is as surprised that she was transferred as you are and she will miss the school, other teachers and the students.
    I would not keep the children away from school. Although they may be disappointed about her transfer, not attending school will be their loss. Please allow them to attend for their educational benefit. They have made friends at the school and will also miss them. You should not let them see you angry about that.
    Give the new principal an opportunity to prove herself. In the end you will find that she is competent.

  12. Daughter of the King
    September 4, 2017

    Please note the number of parents in this “protest”. No PTA meeting was called so these rogues are not representatives of the parent population. I say rogues because some have no children at the school. I saw one parent whose daughter left the school four years ago. I stand with the majority of parents who will be taking their children to school on Wednesday to work with Mrs Abraham. Welcome to Roseau primary School!

    • Waiting on God
      September 5, 2017

      you call these parents rogues………..where were you when the school was in HELLLLLLLLLLL
      It Takes a ROGUE to know one

  13. Evans
    September 4, 2017

    Get the principals from the southern schools out. Those that only want to see teachers down fall.

  14. Beetle
    September 4, 2017

    Now what hurting me the most is they are afraid to touch the South East where schools performance Is at an all time low. Look a summer workshop was designed for the southern district. Make those changes in the south, the west performing well.. that MOE too upside down..
    ..

  15. ashanti
    September 4, 2017

    Miss abraham had tought me in goodwill secondary school she was the best English teacher towards me and my peers when we heard that she got transfer we broke down in tears she’s a loving caring and understanding person so please give her a chance you’ll see the person she really is and we truly miss her

  16. Vellie Nicholas-benta
    September 4, 2017

    I can understand the parent’s alarm, however, they should put aside childishness and give the new principal a chance to work with them. The interest of the students should come first. Keeping them out of school will not be beneficial to the children.

    Change is the only thing constant in life and must not be blindly resisted. The new principal might prove to be a better principal.

  17. Ibo France
    September 4, 2017

    As a civil servant, it’s the lawful right of the government to transfer you at anytime they see fit. My hope is that the transfer was done with honorable intentions. A meeting should be convened within a short time by the relevant authorities to assuage the concerns and anxieties of the parents. Smooth sailing for the present school year to all stakeholders.

  18. %
    September 4, 2017

    If she is such a fine teacher,then ALL school require her service.She should not remain in one school.Is she doing this fine job alone,or with the help of other teachers?.Its not the entire staff that is being transferred.Take it easy with the one replacing her though.

  19. mine
    September 4, 2017

    Parents give the the new principal a chance and get to know he or she. The school is not Robert’s property so she can be transferred to any other school. Please wish the lady good luck,

  20. ALmighty God help
    September 4, 2017

    Aila dont make the new principal feel bad

  21. Illuminator
    September 4, 2017

    The parents know what they had prior to Mrs. Roberts, what they had with her and are now afraid of what might be, will be, maybe with the new principal. Very understandable. I say to them peacefully express yourself whilst sending your kids to school. I hope you get what you want. Who feels it knows it.

    • Waiting on God
      September 5, 2017

      NO leave your children at home MOE is toooooooo unfair and UPSIDE DOWN

  22. September 4, 2017

    “We will not be sending our children to school until our demands are met, we will be coming there every day and they better take note of that,” they stated.” :arrow: Until our demands are met :?:

    This time I have to say that this kind of reaction is VERY CHILDISH; these parents are sounding as if it is what they want that has to be done, not what the authority has decided; that is not very smarts.

    Keeping your children at home, until your demands have been met, will affect no one but you and your children; because you have no strength against that kind of demand

    I worked as a Teacher for 6 years, in Giraudel, my home Village, before I left to move to Toronto, Canada. Within those years I worked with 4 different School Principals.

    The transfer of one of them–Mrs. Ruth James from Goodwill–was very painful for us; she was a great and gifted School Principal; the Education Department took her away for that very reason–what could we do :?:

    • My Two Cents In
      September 5, 2017

      Thank you Ms. Xavier for the kind words about my mother, Mrs. Ruth James.

    • Waiting on God
      September 5, 2017

      all of all you soooooooo that make ministry thing they can do what they want. TIMES HAVE DEFINITELY CHANGED,,,,,,,,, Parents are realizing the kind of power they have toooooooooooooo

  23. Truth Be Told
    September 4, 2017

    Please people, this is normal business. Civil Servants; teachers and principals, nurses, firemen, transfer all the time. But what is the police presence for? Before Dominicans can open their mouths the police arrives on the scene, but they never there for crime and crime prevention!

  24. Teacher
    September 4, 2017

    Ms Roberts you must have done an excellent job at the school.Well, I know that because you were a great Science teacher to me…so enthusiastic, energetic and yet still firm. I am not supporting the decisions of the partents to withhold their children from attending school but I can understand their reasons. However, I believe they should give the new principal a fair chance just as they did for you. Parents, you love Ms. Roberts but how are you so sure you wont love the new principal the same way?Anyways, I think there is another lesson here for us. For those who take their jobs for granted and dont perform to the best, we should work hard and well insomuch that if we are to leave for what ever reason our absence will be deeply missed.Just saying.

  25. My Two Cents In
    September 4, 2017

    When quoting someone or a phrase, we should alway give credit to the original speaker since it was not us who came up with the expressed words that make others ponder and remember. If we do not know the speaker’s name, then we use Anonymous. When we do not give credit, sooner or later someone will notice the credit is taken away from the creator. The phrase “Failure is not an option” in one of the pictures in this article is not a creation of the school or by anyone from Dominica. It not more belongs to the Roseau Primary School than the phrase “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Both phrases are know worldwide. Because the school is a training place for our younger citizens and is a society role model, the school needs to include with the phrase the name of the original speaker of those words, or take the sign down completely.

  26. Kermit
    September 4, 2017

    When you don’t send your children to school for a transfer the only people that going to suffer is your kids. All you Dominicans have too much in all you I find.

  27. Nubian Queen
    September 4, 2017

    The least they (the parents) could do is to give the new principal a chance. From what I know of Sarah Abraham, she is an easy person to relate to.

    Give her a chance.

    • Mocking Mouse
      September 4, 2017

      No
      That’s when you the parent Home School your child
      Until Ms Roberts is returned

    • Protest for protest sake.
      September 4, 2017

      Why are you guys protesting. Has Mrs Roberts stated that she wishes to stay at RPS.
      Give the new principal a chance. Stop sending the wrong message to your children.

      So if the transfer goes ahead, does that mean you will keep your children out of school indefinitely.

      If the answer is ‘yes’ will you be protesting about lack of education for your children.

  28. Dominican West Indian
    September 4, 2017

    To the parents who are protesting I’d just like to say that as a parent I get and appreciate where you’re coming from.
    But I think Ms. Roberts is just as equally needed at the Goodwill Primary School.
    From your strong reaction to her transfer it’s obvious that she did a good job in Roseau. Now give her a chance to do the same elsewhere. And please try to give the new principal a chance to show what she can do.

  29. A A
    September 4, 2017

    Nonsense…..if you all did not want her you would be happy to burden another school with her. Principals and teachers can be reassigned to any school. In fact, Public servants can be reassigned to any government department.

    Well keep your children home then.

    Stupes.

  30. Rahja
    September 4, 2017

    Transferring her to Goodwill School is a promotion for her. Please congratulate her and go home. All is well.

    • IamanIdiot
      September 4, 2017

      She was at goodwill primary before she was moved to roseau primary.
      Principal of one primary school or another primary school is not a promotion.

      • Me
        September 5, 2017

        You said it, you are an idiot.

  31. Just Saying
    September 4, 2017

    Good job parents!! Don’t stop until your cries are heard. “Why fix it if it’s not broken?” THE FACILITIES IN THAT SCHOOL NEED FIXING, NOT THE PRINCIPAL.

    • Bezzle
      September 5, 2017

      You know i love this comment. i agree 198%

  32. Mother
    September 4, 2017

    Whilst I understand the mothers’ sentiments they must understand too that mrs. Roberts is not their property. Her wishes should be taken into consideration also. Give the new principal a chance and don’t only think of yourself.

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