Letter To The Editor

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Editor

I am concerned with developments over the summer to open another private school: the Anguilla International School. I am concerned about the way in which the principals of the school have gone about to undermine and destroy the TGOI.

Some members of the Board of the AIS had served on the Board as directors or volunteers. They used the inside influence to recommend that TGOI close its doors due to financial problems. Unknown to the TGOI board, those same individuals planned to open another school.

It is no secret that TGOI has encountered financial problems for the past few years. The TGOI became a victim of its own compassion for the every day family to afford private education for their children if they so desired. TGOI sought to supplement low school fees with community donations and fund raisers but these proved insufficient. At last the decision was made to raise school fees in line with the actual cost of running the school so that the school would be self-sustaining.

Recognizing the financial crisis the principals of AIS took this opportunity to gather the support of expatriate parents, those who could afford the increased fees, to cast doubt on the viability and credibility of the TGOI. These principals could have joined in a mission to bolster the financial position of the TGOI, if they had been so minded to work with Anguillians. However, they chose to separate into a school that would be primarily expatriate.

Is this a pattern of things to come in Anguilla? Are we becoming a country where no longer will the expatriates integrate into the mainstream of our community? But they will seek to create separatist organizations.

TGOI has existed for ten years. Its track record is “good” as a high percentage of the honour roll at Campus B has been made of TGOI graduates. The financial resources of these individuals could have gone to stabilize TGOI and continue an Anguilla that promotes harmony on our shores.

Sincerely ,
Concerned Citizen