BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NATALIE JOHNSON, the Basseterre High School teacher whose services were terminated late last year, could be reinstated according to Minister of Education the Hon. Shawn K. Richards.
Johnson, who began working at the BHS in September of last year, was very vocal about environmental conditions there. She was one of a group of teachers, students and parents who protested, indicating that the environment there was toxic and detrimental to their health.
She had indicated that she was one of the individuals who suffered as a result.
In a recent interview with members of the media, Minister Richards explained that his Ministry has met with the St. Kitts Teachers Union and is seeking to get Johnson reinstated.
“During the course of last week the Ministry of Education would have met with officials from the St. Kitts Teachers Union (concerning) issues pertaining to the Union and their involvement in the delivery of education in St. Kitts and Nevis but, more importantly, their representation of their members.
“One of the issues which they would have raised is pertaining to the dismissal of Natalie Johnson during late last year. That is being looked at by the Ministry of Education. We currently have her file in our possession and we are working towards ensuring that Natalie is reinstated.”
Minister Richards expressed his view that Johnson’s services were wrongfully terminated.
“I am of the view that she was dismissed for the wrong reason. This is a teacher who taught at the Basseterre High School. She got sick as a result of conditions at the institution and she was subsequently dismissed by the then government of St. Kitts and Nevis. As I said, we are now looking at reinstating her.”
SKNVibes spoke with Johnson to get her thoughts on these recent developments and she said she is happy that justice is being served and that “people can see things for what they are”. She also said she is anxious to return to work.
