The parent who last month allegedly assaulted a female teacher at the St. Angela’s Primary School in South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday where she was charged with causing actual bodily harm.
The female teacher was identified as Nicasey Barker.
Ashelle Clement, a 29-year-old cosmetologist of 14 Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the charge that was read to her.
The charge states that on Thursday, January 12, at St Angela’s Primary School, Thomas Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, she unlawfully assaulted Nicasey Barker and caused her actual bodily harm.
She was placed on $50,000 bail and the matter was adjourned to February 17.
Meanwhile, another teacher, Shawn Marshall, of Graham’s Hall Primary School, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara who was physically assaulted by a parent on Wednesday, January 11, is still to see his assailant face charges.
The two assault incidents occurred within one day of each other and 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 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 at their place of work.
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.
