Finally, Sita moves to Bon Air

After months of an ongoing battle to remain as principal of Tunapuna Hindu Primary School, Sita Gajadharsingh-Nanga has finally shifted to Bon Air Government Primary School. Gajadharsingh-Nanga took up responsibility at the school after a court settlement two weeks ago. Gajadharsingh-Nanga’s husband Ravi Nanga confirmed that his wife had relocated and was happy.

“There were terms agreeable on both sides. The court matter was settled,” Nanga said. Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) secretary general Sat Maharaj said he was told that Gajadharsingh-Nanga’s attorney Neal Bisnath had asked for a settlement. “And the settlement was that they will accept the transfer. All we got was a letter from the Teaching Service Commission telling us that Gajadharsingh-Nanga will take up duty at Bon Air ‘effective from.’”

Gajadharsingh-Nanga had accused Maharaj of using his position on the SDMS board to prevent Afro-Trinidadian pupils from attending the school; a claim which Maharaj denied and the issue was taken before the Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

A decision was subsequently taken by the TSC to grant Gajadharsingh-Nanga a transfer to the Bon Air Government Primary School, which she refused to accept. Gajadharsingh-Nanga later challenged the matter asking for judicial review. The matter came up before Justice Andre des Vignes.

Maharaj said the settlement showed that “we were correct in our assumption and the charges made. She was not fulfilling the needs of the board. The religious nature of this (Tunapuna) school was being abandoned.” Maharaj said he thought the system was flawed with these kinds of transfers.

“Because we are asking for transfers on moral and spiritual grounds. As a denomination board we found certain flaws in these areas.” Maharaj said the matter had dragged on for too long and was beginning to affect the students, parents and school.