Religious Discrimination at St Hilda’s?
“Res Severa Verum Gaudium” (hard work brings true joy), the motto of the St Hilda’s Diocesan High School in Browns Town, St Ann.
Founded by Caan James Phillip Hall in 1906, the Dioceses of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands institution is at the forefront of a denomination discrimination controversy.
After obtaining a 97.5% average and placing seventh in Jamaica’s All Island Secondary School Rankings 2014, the all-female institution appointed Jade Basco, as its Head Girl for the academic year 2015-2016.
Jade has indicated that she is not a baptised member of the Jehovah’s Witness, and that she only visits the kingdom hall occasionally.
The student was introduced to the school and community population along with the Deputy Head Girl and Prefects, which is the school’s Academic Executive Body.
The selection was undertaken by Principal Mrs Heather Reid-Johnson and teachers at the institution, once the student meets all the school’s required criteria.
Jade was later informed by the Principal that the post would be taken from her, after being appointed less than two weeks ago, due to her religious denomination association.
Bishop at the institution, Robert Thompson says it was after the appointment the school discovered that the young lady is a Jehovah’s Witness, therefore, her appointment had to be withdrawn.
The Bishop says while jade is qualified for the position, her faith is contradictory to the beliefs of the Anglican Church hence, her appointment would be conflicting.
The situation has created a tense atmosphere at the institution. A student of the School reportedly told her parent that she is bothered by the situation at the institution.
The student also made mention that Jade was questioning the state of affairs and referred to herself as being ‘bad lucked’.
Meanwhile, Bishop Thompson states that the situation was explained to the student and her parents, that the school found itself with a conflict of interest. He confirmed that the Minister of Education partners with Church Schools to bring Christian values to the Education process.
Meantime, Director of Communications at the Education Ministry Byron Buckley says he is not aware of the matter and will investigate.
He further stated that discrimination is illegal in Jamaica and will not be supported by the Ministry of Education. He, however, points out that schools and School Boards have the general authority to administer punishment based on their discretion.
Chairman of the School Board, Bishop Leon Golding, says no discrimination is involved and an investigation would not have been done prior to the student’s appointment and this selection would be left to the discretion of the Principal.
the Bishop says while he is aware that a new Head Girl will be appointed, he is not sure of who this new appointee will be.
And, Deputy Public Defender in the Office of the Public Defender, Herbie McKenzie, says while Jade is seemingly being religiously discriminated against, she could be reinstated and be provided with an apology.
Mr. McKenzie says if a written explanation was not given to Jade and her parents, then the only conclusion to be made is it was clearly discrimination.
The Deputy Public Defender says the student has the right to not be discriminated against, and as such, should continue going to school. He also provided the option of gaining the support of the OPD.
A member of the Jehovah’s Witness faith who wishes to remain anonymous says while Witness do not comment on matters in the public sphere, this is clearly discrimination.
The Witness says if it were any other Denomination the student would not have been de-badged.
After numerous efforts to contact the institution’s Guidance Counsellor as well as the Vice-Principal, the Africa Forum was informed they are unavailable to take the call or not at school.
We teach our children to love and accept, how will we achieve unity if we discriminate?
By Shamara Preston
Originally Published by Irie FM – Reposted in its entirety with permission.