By Lolita Long/Francine Black, Gleaner WritersAN ANGRY Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education, yesterday vehemently denied charges made by an American official that she had given instructions to the New York Board of Education (NYBE) to discontinue a waiver for Jamaican teachers working in New York.
The instructions were reportedly issued during the Minister's visit to New York in February.
ALLEGATIONS
The allegations that Mrs. Henry-Wilson instructed the NYBE to discontinue the waiver, were made by Peter Ianniello, a high-ranking member of the City's Board of Education during a closed-door meeting with Deputy Mayor, Caribbean-born Dennis Walcott, Jamaican Bishop Cecil Riley, Caribbean Immigrants Director Irwine Clare, former president of the Mico Old Students Association and concerned teacher Hyacinth Spence, and Caribbean teacher representatives from Jamaica and Guyana.
Mr. Clare told The Gleaner after the meeting that the group was 'stunned' at what Mr. Ianniello said. Mr. Clare's comments were corroborated by Bishop Riley. "I was so embarrassed to know that we are trying to get the Deputy Mayor to help in rescinding the letters, only to be told this," said Bishop Riley.
However, Mrs. Henry-Wilson insisted yesterday that she gave no such directive.
"That's a lie," she told The Gleaner yesterday.
She said during her visit she attended a meeting where representatives from the NYBE and some teacher representatives were present and they were informed that the NYBE had stopped granting waivers.
"They (NYBE) said their policy had changed," she said. "I told them that it is your responsibility to tell the Jamaican teachers," she added.
TERMINATION LETTERS
Nearly 200 Caribbean teachers were given termination letters by the New York Board of Education dated May 27, to become effective end of school year, June 30.
The teachers were recruited in 2001 and operated with J-1 visas. However, those visas have to be converted to the H-1B. Part of the change is dependent on the Government sending a 'No Objection' statement, which clears teachers of all financial obligations. Upon the receipt of the 'No Objection' Statement, the Department of State will issue a waiver, which removes the bind of the two-year residency requirement as is stipulated by the J-1 visa.
ACCUSED
Some of the teachers accused the Jamaican government of dragging its feet
in granting letters of No Objection, which would allow the process to flow.
Janet Madden, community relations officer at the Consulate, admitted that the Minister met with the Board of Education, but described the allegations as "rubbish".
She said the Consulate handled over 260 applications between February 2003 and May 31 this year. She said that 252 teachers got letters of
No Objection, and only four applied in April. Some have been tardy in looking about their papers, Ms. Madden said.
Mrs. Henry-Wilson maintained yesterday that the Government was not against the teachers leaving, but require that certain things be taken care of first.
She said this recent claim was only another reason that has been devised to blame the Jamaican Government for the teacher's situation.
"Mr. Ianniello needs to go and check his facts rather than find a scapegoat for U.S. policy," she said.
