The Jesuits of Saint Aloysius’ College have given a stark lesson in values this week by refusing to be held accountable over decision to sack their newly-appointed Rector just after three months she was appointed. Her appointment was promoted as a very positive and progressive step in modernising the school and helping it catch up with the times.
We didn’t buy the hype. Appointing a woman as college rector could have been a significant progressive and modernising event, worthy of celebration, around 500 years ago. Patting yourself on the back for finally and for the first time, opening an administrative and educational post to a woman in 2025 is just a sign of your long-dated and miserable backwardness.
The Jesuits seem to be aware of this because they are deeply ashamed about the fact that they fired Rector Maria Montebello on alleged over-spending. The Jesuits at Saint Aloysius seem to want to shift the burden of their decision onto the press by denying their own actions and claiming that there were no irregularities. The claims that the she was fired over irregular and extravagant spending are theirs – not ours. The complaint about the Rector promoting a fashion brand is also from them. We would have preferred if we had Maria Montebello’s version but we were unable to reach her.
We can not confirm irregularities. Parents even praised the Rector for giving the school and classrooms a much needed uplift. That the Rector went on a spending spree to upgrade the aesthetic of the school is quite very clear and it is also true that Jesuits were against this, having practiced long-held beliefs of frugality and the appearance of humble poverty.
Let’s be serious. Firing a head or an executive just after three months is unusual especially because such appointments are highly-scrutinised and chosen on the basis of common values. There is an underlying sentiment of sexism here. A man wouldn’t have been held to the level of scrutiny the Jesuits held their new Rector. And the Jesuits are very afraid of being outed for it.
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