The Association of Principals and Vice-Principals now has a new president.

The man who will now head the affairs of the school administrators is Michael Stewart, principal of the Porus High School in Manchester.

He takes over the mantle from Alphansus Davis, who was recently appointed senior adviser to Education Minister Andrew Holness.

Mr. Stewart, who is a former principal of the Rose Hall All-Age School in south east St. Elizabeth, was elected at the association's annual general meeting held on Saturday at the Starfish Hotel in Trelawny.

He came out ahead of Albert Corcho, principal of the Tarrant High School in St. Andrew, scoring a 60 to 32 vote win.

Speaking to The Gleaner following his victory, Mr. Stewart said part of his mandate during his three-year term in office will be to ensure that newly upgraded high schools receive the same treatment as the traditional high schools, as far as placement of students who sit GSAT examination is concerned.

To focus on equity

"We are hoping that our organisation will be able to have equity and levelling the playing field as far as educational benefits are concerned. We want to have quality with students entering our schools, because when the results are published we are treated the same way as the traditional high schools, and many persons tend to look down on our organisation and on our schools, because of the lack of performance," said Mr. Stewart.

He noted that most times the results received are due mainly to the kind of students the newly upgraded schools receive, and so he and his new administration will be fighting for equity in the placement of students.

He stated that newly upgraded high schools have been performing quite well in recent theoretical and practical examinations, but said he believes the results could have been better if there was equity in placement of students.

The new Association of Princi-pals and Vice Principals president stated that he has taken over the leadership of that body at a critical time; particularly at a juncture when much is being talked about the transformation of the education system.

This, he said, would mean several changes in respective schools, and that he intends to spearhead the activities that will form part of the process, along with the other members of his executive and teachers across the island.

- George Henry

The other members of the new executive

First Vice-President - Dr. Walton Small of Anchovy High

Second Vice-President - Albert Corcho of Tarrant High

Secretary - Pauline Reid of Holland High

Treasurer - Cynthia Peart of Papine High

Public Relations Officer - Cecil Peters of Alston High in Clarendon.