Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:

The Jamaica Teachers' Assoc-iation (JTA) is demanding that the Ministry of Education provide security to principal of Hoolebury All-Age in St. Ann who has been forced to skip school because of death threats.

Headmistress Alberta Staines has not reported for duty at the institution since Monday as a result of threats on her life by residents of Hoolebury, a district about three miles from the north-west St. Ann town of Salem, and adjoining communities. Mrs. Staines has also been warned by the police not to go to the school until it is safe to do so.

The dispute began last month when the school board reportedly took a decision to fire the principal for non-performance.

Locked out of office

On Monday, September 4, Mrs. Staines was locked out of her office by members of the board with the backing of a large group of residents who insisted that she should leave the school.

Following an emergency meeting later that day with representatives of the JTA and the Education Ministry, the principal was back in office the next day. However, JTA regional officer, Vilma Lawes-Munroe, said the situation had worsened and warrants the immediate intervention of the Ministry of Education.

"The ministry needs to put proper arrangements in place to ensure the protection of Mrs. Staines," she said.

Mrs. Lawes-Munroe said the JTA is also demanding that Mrs. Staines continues to receive her full pay as principal until the matter is resolved.