Minister angry at teachers and students for breaking glass of front door

Education, Science and Culture Minister Lilian Ferrier is reportedly angry at students and teachers from the Albert Cameron Institute (ACI) for breaking the glass of the front door of the ministry when they assembled in front of the building on Monday morning. The teachers and students from the ACI reportedly wanted to speak to the minister about the plant to incorporate the ACI with the Surinamese Pedagogical Institute (SPI). “I don’t know what kind of door from the stone age they put there but now they want to put the blame on the students”, said Union Chairman Wilgo Valies. Despite the fact that the summer vacation has already started, the students answered the teachers’ call to protest against the incorporation of the ACI into the SPI. A delegation of the Teachers’ Association (BvL) reportedly met with Education Director Natasia Bennanon. Valies explained that the ministry can’t decide out of the blue to move teachers and students to the SPI without first consulting all parties. “The government failed to build more schools but wants to let the ACI cease to exist. In the past the government started with the construction of additional buildings at the IMEAO 2 but the project was halted when the contractor did not receive payment”, said Valies who added that the students want to remain in their familiar surroundings. “They were shocked to hear that the school would cease to exist. Everything is more expensive nowadays even a school uniform. What will happen to the students who have already bought a uniform with the logo of the ACI? When they have to go to the SPI, they will have to buy a new uniform with the logo of the SPI.” Education Director Natasia Bennanon pointed out that she met with BvL Chairman Valies, ACI Director Glenda Toendang, BvL Secretary Reshma Mangre and a student from the ACI and that she told them that Valies could present proposals based on the merger between the ACI and the SPI. Student Cheuk-A-Lam who reportedly spoke on behalf of the students from her class asked if she and her classmates could sit in the class and if they could receive lessons from their former teachers from the ACI. The representative of the student was told that officials would keep their wishes in mind.