The Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday said that legal advice was given to institute charges against two parents who assaulted two teachers at two city primary schools last month.
Regional Police Division 4 ’A’, Commander, Simon McBean, told Stabroek News that while he was not in a position to say what the charges will be, he will do so today.
The two teachers who were assaulted were from the Graham’s Hall and St. Angela’s Primary Schools. In the first, Shawn Marshall, teacher of Graham’s Hall Primary School, Cummings Lodge was physically assaulted by a parent on Wednesday, 11th January. On the following day, Thursday January 12th, another parent assaulted a female teacher at the St. Angela’s Primary School, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Both teachers sustained injuries about their bodies.
The Ministry of Education [MoE], in a statement then had expressed grave concern over the incidents.
“Whatever the circumstances, it is a reprehensible and ghastly act. It is unacceptable and will not be condoned in the least,” the MoE said. The MoE had also assured that it will take all appropriate action to ensure that all teachers continue to work in safe and secure environments, including prohibiting violent parents or guardians from having access to school premises, and transferring any learner whose parents commit acts of violence on teachers.
“Parents or guardians are reminded that in any instance where an incident occurs with a teacher, the matter must be brought to the attention of the head teacher or teacher in-charge of the school or institution,” the ministry said. The MoE had also called on the Guyana Police Force or any institution of authority to take whatever action the law prescribes regarding assaults on teachers in their place of work.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Coretta McDonald, had told Stabroek News that there are established procedures, such as lodging a complaint with the headmistress of a school, whenever a misunderstanding between a parent and teacher arises. McDonald added that if a parent feels that they didn’t receive the satisfaction they need from the school then there is a department within the Ministry of Education where they can lodge their complaints.
The incident at the Graham’s Hall Primary caused teachers, along with approximately 15 parents to protest their deep concern over Marshall’s assault; a video documenting the second assault was also circulated on social media.
