The headmaster of Sand Creek Primary School who allegedly physically assaulted three of his students has been placed on administrative leave.
This is according to Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 9, Carl Parker. Parker told Stabroek News yesterday that an investigation has been launched into the incident and a decision was taken to send the teacher on leave pending the results of that investigation and a decision by the Teach-ing Service Commission (TSC)
He further explained that the school’s welfare officer has reported the matter to the police though no charges have yet been filed.
The teacher who took up the post of Headmaster at the beginning of the school year after being transferred from Potarinau Primary reportedly admitted to assaulting the students because he was frustrated with his living conditions.
“He was frustrated by the fact that he was made to sleep in the school building. There is a headmaster’s house there but apparently it was not to his liking. Nobody reported it to the regional administration though. If he was dissatisfied then he should’ve reported it to his immediate supervisor,” Parker said.
Stabroek New reported that the man had allegedly hit the two girls and one boy to the head with a school bell because they were late for school.
After the alleged attack the three students were forced to seek medical attention at the Lethem Hospital on October 8, after two of them sustained head injuries. The 10-year-old boy sustained a minor cut to his head while the cut sustained by one of the girls required four stitches.
This is the second reported instance of teachers in Education District 9 physically assaulting students.
Stabroek News reported last week that two teachers who in February of this year were involved in the brutal flogging of two teenage girls at Aware-wanau Primary School in Deep South Rupununi have been dismissed from the teaching service.
Those teachers were dismissed on two charges. The first charge notes that the teachers displayed “lack of discipline on the part of a teacher in their failure to observe the Education Act Chapter 39:01 of the laws of Guyana,” while the second charge notes that the teachers were “involved in a possible criminal matter: physical assault and abuse.”
The administration of corporal punishment in Guyanese schools is governed by strict guidelines.
The 2002 Ministerial Guidelines allow for “corporal punishment to be administered by the head teacher, deputy head teacher or designated senior teacher for certain offences including fighting and use of indecent language.”
According to the guidelines, “boys should be punished on their hands or buttocks, girls on their hands; the punishments should be inflicted with a cane or strap no longer than 24 inches and not in the presence of other learners, and all punishments should be recorded in the Misde-meanours Book.”
These guidelines were not followed in either case.
Asked by Stabroek News if there are any plans to sensitize teachers, parents and students on the rules governing the administering of corporal punishment, in light of these incidents, Parker noted that “teachers [in the district] meet regularly, at least once a quarter to discuss matters affecting education in the region.” While he could not say if this particular policy is discussed he opined that it would’ve been addressed with other matters.
