A school in central Jamaica was recently rocked by a major demonstration from irate parents, who padlocked the institution's gate and demanded that the principal be dismissed.

The demonstration was sparked by residents who claimed that the principal attempted to fire a male staff member because he turned down sexual advances from the principal.

"Every day this man see me, him a bother me about if me nah gi him the ting. All me tell him that me no inna them deh tings boss, him still a follow me up with him loose arguments bout how him love brown man, me can't tek it anymore man," declared the staff member, who was being dismissed.

He went on to show THE STAR team over 20 text messages originating from a cellular number that when it was called, was answered by a gentleman who identified himself with the same name as the principal.

sexual advances

He explained that he got a part-time job at the school in April but was given a more permanent job by the principal at the school. He said that his employment was followed by a barrage of sexual advances and text messages from the head of the school.

"From the man gi me the job him nuh stop bother me. Every minute me see him a text me bout, 'Hey sweet baby, you nuh want have sex with me', or 'what style you like sweetie' and a whole heap a other crap the man a send me," added the disturbed man.

The chairman of the school board, who hastily convened a meeting with a representative of the Ministry of Education and the principal to diffuse the situation, admitted to THE STAR that he had heard the allegations, that the principal had made sexual advances at the staff member.

"I have heard about it ... but it is unproven, difficult to prove, therefore, it remains pure allegations," he said, as he exited the meeting.

Teachers at the institution, who spoke to THE STAR, all confessed of hearing of the allegations as well. Some of the teachers also spoke of their own suspicions regarding the principal and boys who attend the school.

"I have seen and heard of many suspicious activities that go on here, which can be viewed as inappropriate. There are boys here who are afraid of the principal, and this situation has left a lot of the staff frustrated," stated one of the teachers.