"COVID-19 is not a serious health issue" and "There is absolutely no medical or scientific reason for prolonged, harmful and illogical lockdown. Students and teachers should not be mandated to wear masks and get vaccinated" This was the message being promoted by Miss Toney, a teacher on the academic staff of Bonnyvale High School. Miss Toney’s campaign included holding meetings with her students during class time, posting information on the school’s Social media platforms, along with erecting posters in the staff room and in her classes. After a few days Miss Toney had a small group of supporters who joined her at her meetings.
Despite complaints from the Student’s Council, the Vice Principal, the Parent Teachers’ Association and her own colleagues, Miss Toney was adamant that her message was relevant, and the school needed to get this message. After 2 weeks of clashes with the different stakeholders, Miss Toney was called to a meeting chaired by the school’s Board Chairman. The persons present at the meeting included other members of the Board, the Education Officer from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, the principal, a representative from both the Students’ Council and the PTA, along with a lawyer representing Miss Toney.
During the meeting, a unanimous decision was taken to suspend Miss Toney from her job for one month and during this period she should not visit the campus for any reasons. The Board Chairman also instructed Miss Toney to cease and desist the illegal campaign since she had violated the Code of Ethics for the Teaching Profession. She was told that once there was any reoccurrence of her actions, her services will be terminated by the school board. Miss Toney’s lawyer responded that he would be filing a lawsuit in the courts against the school on behalf of his client. When Miss Toney emerged from the meeting, she vowed that the campaign would continue and instructed her handful of supporters to continue sharing her message.
Questions
- What are your views on the approach taken by the school’s administration to suspend Miss
Toney? - If you were a friend/colleague of Miss Toney, what advice would you give to her, in light of
the fact that her job is now at stake?