Education ministry accused of illegal dismissal

Attorney-at-law Harold Brady has accused the Ministry of Education of going against the rule of law, when it dismissed former head of the National College for Educational Leadership, Doeford Shirley.

The college was set up over a year ago to provide training for principals running public education institutions.

Dr Shirley was informed through a letter last Friday that he had until today to vacate the position.

However in a letter to the Permanent secretary in the ministry yesterday, Brady said that having reviewed the dismissal letter and the staff orders governing the employment of public servants, he has concluded that the ministry is not in compliance with established rules.

He also accused the ministry of not following procedures outlined in the Public service regulations of 1961 for disciplining a public servant.

Brady said the ministry's letter of January 23 does not effectively terminate Shirley.

Brady has subsequently urged the ministry to rectify the situation.

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites has said policy differences had developed between himself and Dr Shirley on how the college should operate.

Dr. Shirley had complained that ministry officials were obstructing his efforts to access resources for the college and complained that he was being sidelined.

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