The Opposition JLP has criticised parents and school administrators for their role in the controversial demonstration in Claremont St. Ann last Friday that involved students of the Prickly Pole Primary School.
The Jamaica Labour Party is also criticising government for the actions taken in the aftermath of the incident.
Opposition leader Andrew Holness expressed condolences to the relatives of Akella Lewis who died under questionable circumstances last Friday.
Mr Holness says the safety and security of children at school is always foremost in people’s mind, and well-thinking Jamaicans should be disturbed at the recent developments at the school.
He says it is the opposition’s view that the integrity of the administration of the school has been compromised by political interests and considerations, which gave rise to circumstances in which a child enrolled at the school lost her life.
Mr. Holness said there is a conflict of interest, as Lisa Hanna, the Member of Parliament against whom the protest was staged, is also the Minister responsible for the child development agency.
He says this agency was tasked by Ms. Hanna to confirm that the death of the child was a result of the protest which involved children in attendance at Prickly Pole Primary.
According to him, it is also curious that the Minister of Education would act so expeditiously to dismiss the school board chairman, without the full administrative process of hearings and independent investigations being followed.
Mr Holness states that on the surface of the issue, dismissing the board chairman may be appropriate, however, the education minister should avoid any appearance or suggestion of political partiality or conflict of interest which could be the subject of a judicial review of his actions.
The opposition leader says separate and apart from the contractor general’s investigation, the prime minister should recognize the glaring conflict of interests in this matter, restrict her ministers from further actions, and launch an independent investigation into the matter.