Just over a week after the resignation of ex-Government minister and former principal Ruel Reid, the Jamaica College (JC) Board is today (December 5) signalling a vacancy in the position and is inviting applications for the ‘executive career opportunity’. 

The position, advertised in the Sunday Gleaner‘s Careers section, has board chairman Michael Bernard undersigned but not identified as the recipient of the confidential application. 

Among the requirements, prospective applicants must possess a Diploma in education as well as a Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field. 

Candidates must also have at least five years’ administrative experience as a vice-principal or principal at the high school level as well as “demonstrate ability to communicate with and forge strategic liaisons with community interests; educational stakeholders and corporate partners”.

A Master’s degree in school administration or its equivalent and successful completion of the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL) Aspiring Principal’s Certification or Effective Principal Training Programme are listed as “assets” for interested applicants. 

“The applicant of choice for this challenging but exciting opportunity, will complete the Principal’s Application Form available at the Regional Office of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Heroes Circle, Kingston, or from the ministry’s website https://moey.gov.jm, and submit same along with a letter of interest by December 17, 2021, addressing how the candidate’s experiences match the position requirements, a vision statement of what Jamaica College will look like under their leadership in five years and a current curriculum vitae or resume,” the school board noted, adding that this package should be forwarded in confidence to Chairman Bernard. 

In its introductory remarks, the JC Board said that its next principal will be instrumental in leading “the strategic alignment of the institution with the vision and mandate established by the board and must be a role model of impeccable personal and professional integrity”.

“The ideal candidate will be a proven, outstanding leader who can articulate a compelling vision for academic excellence and sportsmanship,” the advertisement said.

While the position has been advertised, it is likely that acting principal Wayne Robinson is the front-runner in the selection exercise.

Robinson has been acting in the post since 2016 and has been consistently praised by the JC Board for the impact he has had on the school community.

The latest development at the Old Hope Road-based secondary school comes eight days after Ruel Reid parted ways with Jamaica College. His five-year extension, granted upon his secondment as Education Minister under Prime Minister Andrew Holness, expired on Saturday, November 27. 

Calls for transparency over the settlement agreement arrived at by Reid and the school led both Minister of Education Fayval Williams and the JC Trust to disclose that the educator’s contract buyout amounted to $23.3 million. 

Related articles:

• Ruel Reid resigns from JC
• JC dismisses report Ruel Reid ‘walked away with $100-million’
• Reid settlement ‘probably close’ to $16 million, says Education Minister
• JC Trust confirms Ruel Reid got $23.3 million to leave school