Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence on Friday said that the man who assaulted a St Agnes Primary school teacher on Wednesday will appear in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday, and she intends to be present outside of the court to show her solidarity with the female educator.
Lawrence made the comments on Friday night during a surprise appearance at an A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition rally at Back Circle, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. She invited other women at the rally to join her tomorrow.
“We have to get out there. We have to stand in solidarity with our teachers. I will be outside the court to send a clear message that there will be no more fake police force in the country. As women we will not tolerate the abuse of our women irrespective of what she has done,” Lawrence said.
“I don’t want to know her name or if she is tall or short. What I want her to know is that Volda Lawrence is standing with her… Come Monday, I invite everyone to come out at the magistrates’ court,” the health minister also said.
The Wednesday attack at the school’s Church Street, Georgetown premises was captured on video. In the clip, seen by this newspaper, a man was seen assaulting the female teacher. Although he was being held back by others, the man was seen in the video continuously kicking the teacher while she was on the floor.
The educator has since filed a report with the police. Following the assault, the Ministry of Education said that it was investigating and an official had said the incident is one which warranted the attention of the police, who are also engaged in the matter.
The teacher who was assaulted told Stabroek News on Friday that two pupils were involved in an incident which led to their parents being called in to the school. She explained that the child, whose parents were seen on the video assaulting her, was involved in an incident where he kicked another pupil, injuring the pupil and causing bleeding.
After the father of the child acted aggressively at the meeting to discuss the incident, there was an exchange of words and the parents of the child and a third person attacked the educator.
