BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Honiara City Council (HCC) has defended its interview and selection process for school principals following allegations of unfairness and lack of transparency.
Concerns were raised after reports claim that the (HCC) Education Provider (EP) interview panel lacked credibility.
It was alleged that the panel was limited to the HCC EP Chief Education Officer, the Chief Education Officer, the City Clerk and the Mayor, without broader representation.
Sources told this paper that the panel should also include a representative from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), as well as members of the (HCC) standing committee, to ensure transparency and accountability in the selection process.
The disagreement follows the circulation of a petition letter from parents to few city schools calling for the removal of a principal over alleged concerns. However, (HCC) did not take formal action, prompting unease among parents.
In response, (HCC) City Clerk Justus Denni clarified in an interview that the appointment of school principals under HCC is strictly based on merit.
Denni said that due process is followed in every recruitment exercise and that decisions are guided by established procedures to ensure qualified candidates are selected for leadership roles in city schools.
“The recruitment or selection of school principal was based on merit. I can confirm that we received petitions from communities regarding the appointment of some school principals by the (HCC) Education provider panel,” he said.
He said the Honiara City Council (HCC) Education Provider (EP) is working to strengthen the overall performance and management of schools within the city.
He said that many of the newly selected school principals already have school development plans prepared and ready for implementation.
“We want to give them the opportunity to implement their plans, as they are all qualified and experienced,” he said.
Denni said that the (EP) remains independent in its decision-making and should not be influenced by public opinion or external pressure, as doing so could set a dangerous precedent.
HCC Principal Education Officer (PEO) Luke Maefiti clarified that representatives from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) are included on the interview panel.
These include himself and the Chief Education Officer (CEO), alongside the City Clerk, who serves as the Education Provider (EP), and the Human Resources representative.
Maefiti said the PEO and CEO are employed by MEHRD to oversee and coordinate education providers within the Honiara city boundary.
CEO Ellison Mane said that (HCC) is implementing provisions of the new Education Act, which requires all positions to be publicly advertised and filled through a formal interview process.
“What the Act requires is that every position must be advertised and candidates interviewed. That is exactly what HCC EP is doing,” Mane said.
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