BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A decision made by Cabinet to rename the Sandy Point High School (SPHS) without the proper consultative processes has been met with serious objection and outrage by the Sandy Point and surrounding communities.
Approximately three months ago, via a communiqué, Cabinet announced its decision to rename the SPHS after the Hon. Charles E. Mills CMG, JP, educator and former parliamentarian. The decision, which is believed to have been made in the absence of extensive discussion, sparked outrage and disappointment among residents of the community.
SKNVibes understands that a few days ago the recently-formed community group Sandy Pointers Inspiring Real Improvement Throughout (SPIRIT) forwarded copies of a petition to Cabinet, fitted with more than 2 000 signatures of persons who are in strong objection to the renaming of the school in the absence of the necessary process of consultation.
According to a SPIRIT press release dated August 23, “Over 2 000 individuals from several communities have taken a bold stand to join the community group SPIRIT in support of seeking consultation from Cabinet before a proposed name change of the Sandy Point High School is officially made.”
Speaking specifically to the issue of consultation, the release indicated that Cabinet’s decision was made “after a recommendation from a group of two or three persons”. SPIRIT, however, along with the 2 000 plus signatories of the petition, is requesting comprehensive consultation before any decision is made.
“SPIRIT launched a petition on August 5, exactly one month following an announcement by the Ministry of Education to rename the secondary school in honour of Charles E. Mills, a past educator and parliamentarian. Since then, hundreds of past and present students and staff as well as local businessmen and social activists have affixed their signatures to the petition, supporting the position that widespread and thorough consultation with the communities the high school serves must precede any decision regarding a name change.
SPIRIT acknowledged Cabinet’s authority relative to making such decisions but asserts that “any decision to rename a landmark of the town of Sandy Point and a hallmark of excellence for these communities must come from leadership of the communities and be followed by thorough consultation.
This petition fits squarely into one of the largest campaigns of SPIRIT called Pride, Virtues and Civics (PVC) Campaign. It is a campaign launched in early May 2010 to promote participatory democracy and to increase awareness and appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
The 105-page petition was addressed and delivered to the office of the Minister of Education and Information, Senator Nigel Carty and copied to Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, Minister for Constituency Empowerment Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Cabinet Secretary Joseph Edmeade.
Parliamentary Representative for the constituency in which the school sits, the Hon. Shawn Richards and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Four and who holds responsibility for Youth Empowerment the Hon. Glenn Phillip were both subsequently notified.
Speaking exclusively with SKNVibes, immediate past Vice President of SPIRIT Denver Mike expressed that the group is awaiting a response from Minister Carty and is confident that it would be positive.
