Attorneys representing embattled Tunapuna Hindu School principal Sita Gajadarsingh-Nanga yesterday said that if granted leave for judicial review, she would be willing to stay at the school. The issue of Gajadarsingh-Nanga's continued presence at the school was raised by Justice Andre Des Vignes who is presiding over her matter in the Port-of-Spain High Court. Through her application, Gajadarsingh-Nanga is seeking to have a decision by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) in February to have her transferred to the Bon Air Government Primary School quashed. Des Vignes said: "She was feverishly seeking to get out of that school and now she is willing to stay? ajadarsingh-Nanga said she was treated shabbily and disrespected at the school. She said her life was threatened!" Des Vignes exclaimed. Des Vignes questioned the relief sought by her attorney Neil Bisnath noting her complaints about her treatment at the school in the past.
Bisnath admitted that if the appliaction was granted by Justice Des Vignes, Gajadarsingh-Nanga would have to stay as principal of the school until the substantive matter was determined. As the matter was being argued in court, Gajadarsingh-Nanga's husband Ravi, who is an attorney, sat patiently outside. "The evidence in the case shows that there is high drama when Gajadarsingh-Nanga does anything at Tunapuna Hindu School," Des Vignes said. While making submissions yesterday, Bisnath claimed that the commission breached principles of natural justice in transferring her. He further submitted that the decision was biased and unfair considering that she was not given a sufficient opportunity to make representations to the commission to appeal the decision. As part of her claim, Gajadarsingh-Nanga is seeking an order of the court that the commission's decision was irresponsible and irregular. Bisnath claimed that her application for judicial review was not frivolous and had merit.
Gajadarsingh-Nanga first applied for a transfer on July 17, last year, after a spat with the Parent/Teacher Association and the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha over allegations of racism and misconduct at the Tunapuna school. At a previous hearing last month, Des Vignes granted an interim order which stayed the TSC's decision over Gajadarsingh-Nanga's transfer. After several months of conflict last year, Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh intervened. In November, Gopeesingh brokered a deal which saw Gajadarsingh-Nanga return to the post at the school until she was granted the transfer in February. She, however, declined to make the move. Senior Counsel Russell Martineau, who is appearing on the commission's behalf, countered Bisnath's submissions saying that the regulations which govern the TSC state that the principal should take up the position at Bon Air even while the transfer was being challenged.
Martineau said that while the matter was being decided, the students of the Bon Air school would be suffering without a principal. If Gajadarsingh-Nanga was to return to the Tunapuna Hindu Primary School there would be further chaos, Martineau submitted. "Police and fire services were summoned to the school last year. Is that what we want for our education system? Gajadarsingh-Nanga should stay there for what? Is that going to help produce a just result?" Martineau asked. He said that the TSC is an independent body which was free from outside influence. "The TSC brought some sort of rationality in the matter and now we (the TSC) are before the courts," Martineau said. He also questioned Gajadarsingh-Nanga's decision to refuse to be transferred to Bon Air on the basis of distance from her home. Martineau said that Gajadarsingh-Nanga had expressed willingness to be transferred to three other schools which were all further than Bon Air. The Maha Sabha's interest were yesterday sought by attorney Jagdeo Singh, who was present in court but did not contribute to the submissions. The matter continues this afternoon.
