Ruel Reid Demits Office as Principal of Jamaica College

Following much controversy embattled former Education Minister Ruel Reid has demitted office as principal of Jamaica College effective Saturday, November 20.

Reid was granted special leave by the Ministry of Education Youth and Information in 2016 to pursue his ministerial duties; this special leave also expired on November 20. Which meant that Reid was contractually obligated to return to work as the school’s principal.

But calls increased earlier this week for him to step down as principal, as he is currently before the courts, having been arrested in October 2019 on charges of fraud.

Ruel Reid has met his fate as it regards to is position as principal of Jamaica College, was joint release on Saturday, November 20 from Reid and the Jamaica College Board. CVM Live contacted the Chairman of the Board, Michael Bernard who confirmed the position, but was not inclined to speak any further.

The embattled former Minister has been the topic of much conversation, following corruption charges that were laid against him and others in 2019. Reid was permanently appointed to the office of principal of Jamaica College as of September, 2007.

It was reported in the media that the JC Board had agreed to extend by 5 years Reid’s special leave, but that request was subsequently denied by the Ministry of Education. As a result an agreement was reached, Reid seemingly submitted to mounting pressure for him to resign. 

The statement earlier read “It is our view that this agreement is in the best interest of the parties and more importantly it will allow Jamaica College to focus exclusively on its mandate.”

It goes further to state that “Mr. Reid has signaled his unbroken support for Jamaica College and the acting principal Mr. Wayne Robinson and wishes the school every success.”

More in this CVM Live story from Robian Williams: