Petrina Francis & Claudine Housen, Staff Reporters

Workmen repairing Rhoden Crescent, which leads to Penwood High School, St. Andrew, yesterday. On Monday, angry parents and residents blocked the road and padlocked the school gate, complaining that both the school and thoroughfare needed repairs. This resulted in a three-day shutdown of the institution, which reopened yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The Ministry of Education and Youth has announced that a senior education officer will assume leadership at Maldon High School in St. James, until a decision is made by the Supreme Court on the status of the provisional principal.

According to the Education Ministry, school would resume today on a phased basis, with administrative and auxiliary staff. Students are to report to school on Monday for the full resumption of classes.

Classes were suspended at the school on Tuesday after some parents intensified their protest, insisting that principal Derrick Wilson was wrongfully dismissed by the school board.

Mr. Wilson, who was appointed as provisional principal in 2004, was dismissed for his alleged failure to obey the policy of the Education Ministry.

Gate padlocked

On Wednesday, several parents turned up at the school and padlocked the gate in a show of support for the embattled principal.

According to the members of the community, Mr. Wilson has boosted the academic standard and discipline at the school.

"In years gone by when school was in session and students are all over the street, now we don't have none of that," said parent Mervin Esson.

Mr. Wilson's dismissal would have become effective on August 31. But he obtained an injunction from the Supreme Court to stay the dismissal.

"The ministry is deeply concerned about the escalating tensions at the school. However, even as we await the court's decision on the status of the provisional principal, it is Government's decision to ensure that the children's education is not compromised," said Sharon Wolfe, communications director in the Education Ministry.

Meanwhile, classes resumed at the Penwood High School, St. Andrew, yesterday, after a three-day shutdown.

On Monday, angry parents and residents blocked the road and padlocked the school gate, complaining that both the school and thoroughfare needed repairs.

Austin Burrell, principal of the school, said work began on Rhoden Crescent, the road leading to the school and about 50 per cent of his students reported for classes.