Strict letter to the Staff Union of the private school, English School, was sent by parents, after today's spontaneous strike by a limited number of ES staff.

«As the parent association with the MAJORITY of parents we will not accept any further delays in the commencement of the reforms which are compromising the whole process and we all know that timing in this sensitive matter is of paramount importance», notes the ‘StudentsFirst ES Parents Association’, adding that «This is a PRIVATE SCHOOL and just like any other organization the management is OBLIGED to proceed with investigations following formal complaints by the staff and it is unacceptable, unethical, and very suspicious to try and prevent the collection of data which is the proper way of conducting any investigation. Your stagnation and delaying tactics via your ruthless and unjustifiable way of operating with total lack of consideration and respect for any child or any parent or any member of management for that matter is truly beyond reality, sense and find it highly offensive to say the least». 

StudentsFirst ES Parents Association’s Letter follows: 

23 June 2022 
URGENT 

Dear ESSA Committee, 

We represent the newly formed ‘StudentsFirst English School Parents Association’ which has over 650 parents as members, a number rising by the day. The main objective of our Association is to promote the interests of the main stakeholders of the School, our children and to support the Students First reforms the Headmaster has introduced. For this purpose we intend to cooperate with everybody that shares this common vision.  

It is with great disappointment and distress that following the duly legitimate launch of a disciplinary investigation involving members of the teaching staff and attempts to stop this, you have decided to go on strike in any case disregarding the dismissal of its legitimacy by the Ministry of Labour. 

As the parent association with the MAJORITY of parents we will not accept any further delays in the commencement of the reforms which are compromising the whole process and we all know that timing in this sensitive matter is of paramount importance. We emphasise that it is your duty as school staff to support the reform program. We condemn your non-acceptance of the reform agenda and your demand for the resignation of the Headmaster. 

We remind you that your authoritarian illegal attitude does not surprise us as you have been using these unorthodox tactics for the last two years and were in violation while you insist on ignoring all the decisions of the mediation committee of the Ministry of Labour which was always in favour of the school. In any case, this is a PRIVATE school as irrevocably decided by the Supreme Court which decision you repeatedly ignore in a provocative way, and the Ministry of Labour has no place in interfering in the internal management of the school, and this has been made crystal clear on multiple occasions that it is NOT a labour issue. 

The School cannot and will not be held hostage again, in the middle of a serious external examination period and we find this behaviour totally selfish, reckless and clearly shows no consideration for the students and their welfare. For a large proportion of students, their future depends on these exams, and we will let no-one stand in their way to ensure their best possible success in life. And all this is done because the management is attempting to collect evidence as part of an investigation following formal complaints. 

We find that what you are claiming is not true and this further complicates the matter, leading to the parents feeling completely in despair for any constructive work on the matter. We, once again, strongly urge you to discontinue these actions and go through the legal processes via the appropriate authorities. 

We strongly declare to the few members of staff as well as unrelated Unions and politicians that attended the spontaneous, unjustified and without warning strike that OUR CHILDREN will be affected during the examination period and we hold you, ESSA, responsible for the SLIGHTEST compromise in their performance.  

We will pursue this matter and unacceptable behaviour pattern further without delay and through all routes possible. As said before, the parent’s instincts to protect their children has an unstoppable force and we will certainly not allow any personal issues of a few people to stand in the way of our children’s futures. 

We have been fair, considerate and patient over the last few weeks but it seems that the matter is blown out of proportion and has reached a totally unacceptable level, and the parents will not hesitate or even be forced to take their own actions through legal routes.  

We reiterate that this is a private school with parents being the paying stakeholders of 95% of its revenues and so far we have been very prompt with our financial obligations but sadly we feel there is no similar attitude from the teachers’ side and we are starting to feel cheated and ignored. 

This is a PRIVATE SCHOOL and just like any other organization the management is OBLIGED to proceed with investigations following formal complaints by the staff and it is unacceptable, unethical, and very suspicious to try and prevent the collection of data which is the proper way of conducting any investigation. Your stagnation and delaying tactics via your ruthless and unjustifiable way of operating with total lack of consideration and respect for any child or any parent or any member of management for that matter is truly beyond reality, sense and find it highly offensive to say the least.  

The Management of the school, which is undertaken by the Headmaster and the Board of Management, has every right to start any disciplinary action it deems necessary and this in no way can justify any stoppage or strike action on behalf of the teachers. 

Rest assured, we will continue to support those who place the Students of the School first and we will continue to monitor and closely watch the timely implementation of the reforms. Similarly, we cannot tolerate any further delays or obstacles and will passionately stand in the way of anyone attempting to do so in order to defend our children’s interests. 

These actions of ESSA, and total disrespect towards any authority and anyone else in the school has to stop now. Knowing the ethos of the school we cannot believe it represents the majority of staff. 

The Students First Parents Association is now well organized and will vigorously defend the school, the management, the students and parents from any unauthorised and unethical actions of ESSA and a minority few teachers’ intimidating and bullying tactics. 

All these disrespectful actions as well as the false, fabricated and unsubstantiated and distorted announcements and accusations will need to stop now. 

Regards, 

“StudentsFirst” Parents Association 
CC: ES staff, Headmaster, BoM