The La Martiniere schools will have Michael Shane Calvert, a former student who now represents the Anglo-Indian community in the Assembly, as its new secretary.
Calvert will be formally “installed” to the post of secretary on Monday.
The post fell vacant after Supriyo Dhar, who had been the secretary of the two La Martiniere institutions in the city for a decade, resigned on October 25. There were allegations about him having a greater say in the admission process than the principals or any other teacher. He contested the allegation.
Calvert told Metro on the eve of starting his new assignment that he would “ensure absolute transparency” in all areas and put “proper systems in place”.
“Those systems that are good will continue to function. Those that need to be changed will have to be changed…. A system needs to be put in place to ensure transparent functioning of the schools,” he said.
The role of the secretary is to oversee the “general health of the schools” and the administration of all departments, according to an official of the Church of North India that runs the two institutions.
Calvert’s role would be to ensure “smooth functioning and running of the two schools,” and assist “the principals of the schools in academic matters”. This will be in addition to his other duties as secretary, the official said.
The La Martiniere schools are looking to reduce their intake of students at the entry level and make classrooms more inclusive as part of a promised policy focused on bringing “transparency” to the admission process.
There have been allegations of lack of transparency in the admission process, something that the institution insists has been reversed already.
A panel headed by the new bishop of the Calcutta diocese of the Church of North India was set up last month to conduct admissions to both La Martiniere schools in 2019. The principals, the bursar and a member of the school board are in the panel. The new secretary will also be a part of the admission committee.
“I need to understand the system that they are following and put in place any changes that might need to be brought in. I will ensure a very transparent admission procedure,” Calvert said.
Probal Kanto Dutta, the bishop, said he was trying to create a team to look after the administration and not vest control on any one individual. “No one will work alone and I have explained this to all officials. As for Calvert, he is an academician who can also guide the principals. We have made it very clear that we must not harass anyone. We have to be friendlier with the parents.”
The secretary’s job will be a “full-time one”, and he will be answerable to the board and its chairman, an office held by the bishop.
Calvert, elected MLA for the second consecutive term, passed the ISC examination from La Martiniere for Boys in 1982 before going to St Xavier’s College. He has taught at St Paul’s School, Darjeeling, been the headmaster of Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong and the principal of National Gems Higher Secondary School for 13 years. He has also functioned as president of the Association of La Martiniere Alumni (ALMA).
Calvert was also the educational administrator of the Welland Gouldsmith schools and went on to become their rector.
“I am delighted to take on this new responsibility to serve these two premier educational institutions, La Martiniere for Boys (my alma mater) and La Martiniere for Girls,” he said. “My role is to ensure the smooth functioning and running of the two schools and, additionally, because of my vast experience in the field of education, to assist the principals of both the schools in academic matters. I will work towards the continued growth and development of the La Martiniere schools to ensure quality education for all.”
The board of governors on Saturday also promoted Ritesh Sarkar as bursar of the schools.
