Elisha Norbert, the recently endorsed United Workers Party (UWP) candidate for Micoud North, has firmly rejected calls from his political opponent, Jeremiah Norbert of the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), to resign from his teaching position.
With over two decades of service as an educator, Norbert defended his professional record at a UWP press briefing and dismissed the demand as unfounded.
“Honestly, I have nothing much to say to Jeremiah about that. The people of Saint Lucia know that a call for resignation is made to persons who are not fulfilling their duties on their job,” he said.
Norbert, who has taught for 21 years, pointed to his consistently high appraisal scores as proof of his commitment. “My appraisal scores [are] over 85%, sometimes 98% and I know that my work as a teacher is valued,” he said. “I love teaching.”
The UWP candidate criticised his opponent’s focus, urging him to prioritise his ministerial responsibilities.
“Instead of focusing on what I am doing to prepare myself for this journey up ahead, he should focus on his job,” Elisha Norbert said. “He is the minister for persons with disabilities, and I have begged him to visit the schools that take care of persons with disabilities. He has not visited the Vieux Fort Special Education Centre.”
Norbert also highlighted Jeremiah Norbert’s role as Minister for Crime Prevention, questioning the absence of a comprehensive crime plan and referencing his own admission of limited authority. “This is basically ridiculing the people of Micoud North and the people of Saint Lucia to provide zero resources [as] a minister.”
Reaffirming his commitment to both his profession and political aspirations, Elisha Norbert declared, “I am doing my job. I’m not resigning….if I was in his position, I would have resigned.”
The UWP candidate concluded by urging patience as the country awaits an official election call. “Let me do it for as long as I need to do it, and let’s just wait until the time [when] the election period is here.”
Now that’s how you respond to statements made by uninformed people. Good one Elisha.
I’m not a fan of Jeremiah buvt I don’t think an active political candidate should be teaching while campaigning.
It just seems a bit odd for a government employee, the appearance of neutrality in the public service helps ensure impartiality in the provision of public services. There was also the case of a teacher publicly vying to be the candidate for Castries South for the UWP. I’m being objective here, I don’t support either party, but it doesn’t create the right impression when government employees of both political persuasions openly engage in political activities.
I believe that the convention is for Public Servants to not engage in political activity.
That said, I recall a former PM admitting during an interview that, as a young teacher, he had actively campaigned against the Compton regime.
I also remember that, at one time, the SLP constituency committee in Soufriere was chaired by a Public Servant! The SLP Government of the day could not have been unaware of that fact but the officer was never brought to account. However, a senior Public Servant who unsuccessfully contested the ALR seat for the Opposition party was forced to resign. Clearly, the rules have not always been applied evenly and, when one’s party is in power, “might is right”.
Prohibitions and resignation notwithstanding, I have always been concerned about the victimisation of unsuccessful political candidates, especially former Public Servants. For example, the unsuccessful ALR candidate was forced to seek employment overseas, and there have been several others, on both sides of the political divide, who have deliberately been denied local and regional job opportunities by vindictive politicians. Surely, there is no need to prevent a person from earning a livelihood because he or she ran against your Party.
Putting oneself forward as a political candidate in this country is a risky business and knowing that one’s bread and butter will be on the line if one loses at the polls must be a serious deterrent for many a worthy individual.
Even one-term MPs face similar challenges and it is to be hoped that they benefit from some sort of pension arrangement.
What does the Staff Orders and the Laws of St. Lucia say about a Public officer who wants to run for politics? Is that a new precedent the UWP is setting or it has always been there? Is the leader of the opposition supporting this? Please somebody make it make sense.
Exactly and he said he love his job why you want to leave it to do something you doesn’t like you eh ready yet
I’m of the view that; once you’ve been endorsed to run for political office, you should resigned your position immediately.
What does your appraisal scores have to do with a call for your resignation as an individual who sees political office.
Have the laws of St Lucia change? Who is following up on this boldface behavior. Could anyone wishing to run for SLP while UWP in power ever think of doing this. There are laws stating that no one in the public services should participate in political party activities. What’s really going on here. Someone is not doing their work.
Not only does the constitution demands it, but the staff orders also demands that any public servant who intends to be involved openly (contesting elections) MUST resign. There is no ands, ifs, or buts about it. It’s not like Elisha didn’t know that.
This is not about your 20 year tenure, professional performance or commitment to student learning. If there are no laws prohibiting teacher participation in party politics and running for office while on contract, I’m sure this is unethical. This man is just putting his political ambition over everything else. He is a very selfish leader from my humble point of view. I dont understand while the UWP establishment is endorsing this practice. This is setting a very dangerous precedent.
Hmmmm I totally agree 👍
Trump effect is all over the world. “Not resigning”