Freetown — Director of Studies at the Mbayo Academy Secondary School at Tengbeh Town in Freetown over the weekend informed this reporter that changes have occurred in the school based on other polices that are in line with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports for the Academy to continue to produce standards at all levels to meet the academic challenges of teachers and students.

On behalf of the Principal of the school, Eric Mbayo stated that appointments of teachers are fixed term services contract setting out terms and conditions of the employment.

He noted that the Academy is a non-governmental, independent body which is not supported in any way by grants in aid or subventions from government, but solely depends on the payment of school fees by parents/guardians for the payment of salaries to both teaching and non teaching staff; and also to purchase equipments, stationeries and for maintenance.

He went on to state that where applicable, the first full academic year of services shall be the period of probation for teachers, that signatories may terminate this appointment or may be terminated without notice during the period of probation. He said the Mbayo Academy sets the standards for secondary school education that prepare candidates for entering the university.

He said both the school and the Board of Governors may terminate the appointment of a staff member if the services of that staff member indicate that he/she does not meet the highest standards of integrity, unsatisfactory performance, incapacitated for further service, and that the school and board can determine the signatories of teachers with a fixed term appointment prior to the expiration date.

He added that those who are not victims of the above offences can simply reapply for the renewal of their contracts. He concluded that for the code of conduct for students, the incoming pupils in the Academy are expected to comport themselves always, as honesty and integrity must be maintained at all times, adding that misbehaviours like fighting, stealing, smoking, drinking of alcohol, evading tests/examinations, homework etc. may cause a pupil to loose his/her place in the Academy.