Elisha Norbert, the recently endorsed United Workers Party (UWP) candidate for Micoud North, has firmly rejected calls from his political opponent, Jeremiah Norbert of the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), to resign from his teaching position.
With over two decades of service as an educator, Norbert defended his professional record at a UWP press briefing and dismissed the demand as unfounded.
“Honestly, I have nothing much to say to Jeremiah about that. The people of Saint Lucia know that a call for resignation is made to persons who are not fulfilling their duties on their job,” he said.
Norbert, who has taught for 21 years, pointed to his consistently high appraisal scores as proof of his commitment. “My appraisal scores [are] over 85%, sometimes 98% and I know that my work as a teacher is valued,” he said. “I love teaching.”
The UWP candidate criticised his opponent’s focus, urging him to prioritise his ministerial responsibilities.
“Instead of focusing on what I am doing to prepare myself for this journey up ahead, he should focus on his job,” Elisha Norbert said. “He is the minister for persons with disabilities, and I have begged him to visit the schools that take care of persons with disabilities. He has not visited the Vieux Fort Special Education Centre.”
Norbert also highlighted Jeremiah Norbert’s role as Minister for Crime Prevention, questioning the absence of a comprehensive crime plan and referencing his own admission of limited authority. “This is basically ridiculing the people of Micoud North and the people of Saint Lucia to provide zero resources [as] a minister.”
Reaffirming his commitment to both his profession and political aspirations, Elisha Norbert declared, “I am doing my job. I’m not resigning….if I was in his position, I would have resigned.”
The UWP candidate concluded by urging patience as the country awaits an official election call. “Let me do it for as long as I need to do it, and let’s just wait until the time [when] the election period is here.”