Dear Editor,
The Kaieteur News of 15th June 2022 carried an article regarding recent violence in schools. However, amazingly the article quotes Minister Manickchand three times, yes three times, referring to her idea of using pastors to assist and give some guidance to errant students with a view to assisting the hapless and seemingly helpless Headteachers and staff. Editor, maybe the Minister and her CEO are of the Christian Faith, but as a Hindu, and a taxpayer, I am absolutely numbed by her comments (if reported accurately) as she seems to be pushing a “Christian Centric” approach to the problems totally ignoring Hindus and other denominations to be brought on board to assist with these very difficult social issues afflicting our society.
I ask the Minister to issue an apology to Hindus and other religious denominations as it seems she has no use for them in her grand scheme, if she was incorrectly quoted then the newspapers needs to make suitable corrections. The time has long gone when we will tolerate, in what is a secular country, the use of public office to push one’s religion and definitely not in Government owned institutions including the Police Force, Army, Prisons and Ministries etc., Furthermore it is time that the Government issues clear policy guidelines to all Headmasters, School Boards and all Government departments to ensure that no religious bias is displayed by teachers and administrators failing which, upon verifiable complaint, immediate disciplinary action will be taken.
Sincerely,
Christopher Persaud