A former principal who was forced out of her job is now working for the Ministry of Education under hush-hush circumstances.

Gina Tucker, former head of Victor Scott Primary School, was told in early June that she had to leave the school after a grievance was filed against her by a staff member.

She was supposed to be moved to another school in September, but is now at the Ministry.

The Ministry confirmed that Dr. Tucker was working internally, but would not comment as far as her role.

Permanent Secretary Kevin Monkman said: "I am not willing to comment on the role of Mrs. Tucker in the Ministry".

However, this newspaper understands Dr. Tucker is now working as a Ministry official. It is unknown whether or not the position is permanent or temporary.

Education activist Myron Piper yesterday slammed the Ministry for the lack of transparency shown Education Commissioner Wendy McDonell has commented publicly that the Ministry is open to the public.

Mr. Piper said: "The problem that I have with the whole thing is where is the transparency? Government keeps doing things that sort of whittles away people's confidence in them. When they try to do the right thing, there's always an ulterior motive lurking. You never know what the true situation is."

Problems began when Anthony Peets, a counsellor at the school, filed a grievance against Dr. Tucker. The matter was referred to arbitration by the Department of Labour, and arbitrator Clevelyn Crichlow is understood to have recommended that she be removed from the school.

Mrs. McDonell then ordered Dr. Tucker be moved.

In June the Association of School Principals filed an unsuccessful complaint on Dr. Tucker's behalf to have her remain in the post.

Mr. Piper, who said he knows Dr. Tucker personally, said she is a strong woman who speaks her mind.

"It's difficult to understand how they forced her out of a principalship," he said. "They have had three new principalships awarded this year and she got none of them but she's still in the system collecting a paycheck and what is that all about? What does that mean?

"We constantly see people in the Ministry that... because quite often the Ministry didn't do their due diligence when dealing with people, when they want to remove somebody they shuffle them around instead of firing them. It puts a further burden of the taxpayer and the Ministry."

Asked whether or not Dr. Tucker should be working in the Ministry Mr. Piper said: "I think that that depends on the merits on the case and whatnot. If there were credible justification in him [Mr. Crichlow] coming to the decision, then she shouldn't have any other position in the Ministry.

But if it's because she's too outgoing, she doesn't toe the line... what is the real reason?

"With lack of transparency, we're left with all these questions. How do you draw a rational conclusion?"