Dear Editor,
A very concerning incident has recently passed mostly unnoticed. I say mostly unnoticed because the usually vocal members of society have shown little or no voice on this matter despite it highlighting a number of alarming issues about highhandedness by public officials and those who have direct contact to such officials. The incident being referenced here is the one involving the head of the Burrowes School Art and a member of the public. While the incident in itself seems quite trivial – a member of public parking in an area which was reserved for the staff and students of the school – it was the rapid involvement of the subject minister and his apparent bias to the member of public over a senior member of staff of his ministry that must raise concerned eyebrows.
The honourable minister must be a very busy man and getting access to his office is most likely a quite difficult task for an ordinary member of the public. Yet here is an incident where, in a matter of minutes, he made himself available to deal with what was a quite trivial matter which could have been handled by many administrative levels below his high office. It points to very poor judgement on his part to get involved in the matter. The fact that the minister seemed amenable to the end of the services of such an esteemed and experienced member of his ministry – one obviously much respected by the students of the school, as evidenced by their public defence of him – without giving him a fair hearing has cast serious doubts on the judgement of this minister.
And what is going to happen after this incident? The Vice President has already requested the principal to return to his post. But that should not be the end of the matter. The minister needs to be given a serious “pull up” by his seniors for his action. He should be made to write to the Principal and apologize for his hasty judgement while reiterating the high value which Mr Thom brings to his office. As for those members of the public who “threw their weight around” simply because they have connections in high places, the least they can do is utter a heartfelt apology to Mr Thom. Maybe making a contribution to the school can also help in the reconciliation process.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
