Sandy Pointers express outrage as government announces renaming of high school
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, July 7, 2010 (PAM Secretariat Press Release) - The Community of Sandy Point has long been a proud and very outspoken society that does not do well in keeping concerns and issues bottled in. This has become evident once again as the residents of Sandy Point have openly expressed displeasure and outrage at the recent announcement by the government that the Sandy Point High School will be renamed the Charles Mills High School.
Mills was a former Labour Parliamentarian, Opposition leader and Labour Party leader prior to the ascension of current leader Dr. Denzil Douglas.
Many Callers to radio talk shows and hundreds of persons on the popular social networks including facebook and twitter have all expressed their dissatisfaction at the announcement.
Persons have suggested other notable Sandy Pointers who have made a mark in the community and at the institution such as the first headmaster Joseph Manchester or the highly popular principal Vincent Hodge..
People’s Action Movement Senior Parliamentarian and Constituency #5 representative expressed his concern over the fact that the government seemingly took a decision to rename the school without any consultation or input from the community.
“I think that our community stalwarts should be honored whether through the renaming of streets, buildings, or schools,’ said MP Hon. Shawn .K Richards. “ However the community must be and should be involved as they more than anyone or any other community or group will know who is most deserving,” the Senior Opposition Parliamentarian continued.
“They have not consulted anyone. Not even senior teachers were aware of the proposed name change and it has come as a shock to the entire community,” the Senior Opposition MP said.
“Just recently a white paper was presented which spoke to community consultations in the renaming of schools . However the failure by the government to consult with anyone in the Sandy Point Community or even at the Sandy Point High School is in direct contravention to govts recently stated policy that there must be consultation in the naming of schools and this situation seems to contradict the very white paper that they themselves presented. It therefore suggests that the white paper was just something presented for public consumption with no real intention of proper implementation,” Richards continued.
Many persons commented on the popular social network facebook on the proposed renaming of the Sandy Point High School.
L. Wyatt wrote on the popular Facebook social network “With respect to Hon. Charles E. Mills his background in the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party administration did not have much impact on education so I feel he does not deserve the name change,”
T. Hodge also commented on facebook and said “If they going to change the name then they should consider paying homage to Mr. Vincent Hodge because I know and I am sure that a lot of others who went to school under him knows that while Mr. Hodge was there no other school could have come close to SPHS. At lease he did something for the school.”
V. Phipps commented on facebook and said “Before I even go into discussing whether or not this should be done... who did Cabinet consult? Which Sandy Pointer (whether and individual or institution) would suggest such a thing? Shouldn't such a decision be made by past, present and future students and the people of Sandy Point? We NEED answers!!”
“Where is the constituency rep on this? Was he informed by the government? Was there a town hall meeting? What they are doing is a direct disrespect to us all and those who attended SPHS from the neighboring communities. I say march on church street and let them know how we feel. this should not happen rename the school in honor of someone who has embodied the true meaning of SPHS, Mr.Hodge,” said R. Daniel.
S. Herbert commented “How can Cabinet rename something of which they have never experienced? Cuz make no mistake the SPHS has granted many individuals some of the MOST MEMORABLE experiences in their lifetime! Barring a few hiccups here and there it has become significant with Excellence! We expect to do well! We expect to win! We expect to ALWAYS be #1! Not only do we have those expectations..but even the outsiders expect those things from US!!! I trust that everyone realizes that once this decision goes through it would require a new school song, crest, etc. “Respect is due to our dear school for the communities it molds, for the lives it has influenced, for the memories it holds!” Why mess with something as sacred as this? Come on!!! Have a heart!”
E . Jeffers lamented on another facebook page “Renaming the school is unnecessary in my opinion.....I have no idea who is this Charles Mills and from the article on sknvibes he has made no contribution to education or to sandy point as an educator
secondly if they want to rename it i think it should be named after Mr Hodge.....SPHS has been molded and made by this past principal into what it is... See more now with the help of god and other past teachers.......he should be honoured....wen anyone hears bout sphs, mr hodge is the first thing that comes to mind.....both young n old.....give d man he flowers while he living and name the school after him man!!!!!!!!!”
According to a Press Release from the Prime Minister’s communication unit the re-naming ceremony will take place in September. Members of the Sandy Point community have suggested that various events and activities will be organized until then to express the community’s disappointment with the cabinet proposed renaming.
