IN 1984, the Fiji Teachers Union threatened a Suva high school with industrial action over the sacking of a senior science teacher.
An article published by this newspaper on January 9 that year said teacher Raman Lal Vasram, a New Zealand science graduate, was sacked by the board of governors of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School at the end of the previous school year.
A two-paragraph letter by the school’s board secretary, Francis Mangubhai, told Mr Vasram his services would not be required.
The article reported there was no reason given in the letter for the termination of Mr Vasram’s services.
FTU secretary Pramod Rae, after a national executive meeting, had given the board of governors an ultimatum to discuss the dismissal within seven days of receiving the letter or face industrial action.
“It has been brought to our notice that one of our members, Mr Vasram, has been unfairly dismissed for airing his grievances,” the letter read.
“Unless there are any other matters of which you may have better information, and unless you discuss these with us, we are obliged under the FTU national executive meeting decision to proceed with actions which may lead to industrial unrest at the school.
“We are anxious to avoid such a development and would appreciate it if the management could discuss the matter with us with a view of settling it amicably within seven days from the day this letter is served.
“Failure to do so will be construed by us as an invitation to proceed with further action.”
The Sunday Times was told the school board decided to sack Mr Vasram because of his involvement with the Fiji Tae Kwon Do Confederation, of which he was president.
FTU sources said differences between Mr Vasram and the school board began in October when he applied for leave of six working days to represent Fiji at the Sixth World Tae Kwon Do Championships in Copenhagen.
Despite the Ministry of Education recommending leave for Mr Vasram to take part in the world championships, the school board rejected the leave application.
No reason was given for the decision, and this prompted this newspaper to run a story about Mr Vasram not being allowed to take part in the championship.
Mr Rae said it was unfair of the school board to sack Mr Vasram, even after rejecting his leave application for the world championships.
School principal Gopal Bhai Patel declined to comment, saying it was a matter between the board of governors and Mr Vasram.
“I don’t make the decisions,” Mr Patel said.
