A Bartica teacher who was seen in a video assaulting a student over the type of socks worn remains on administrative leave pending a decision by the Ministry of Education (MoE).
This was confirmed by MoE Public Relations Officer Murtland Haley, who said that an inquiry was held on October 24, in keeping with standard operating procedures. Following that inquiry, a report was submitted to the MoE and the findings are being reviewed before a decision is made on the matter.
Details on when that decision will be made were not forthcoming.
In October, a 24-second clip which went viral on social media, showed the teacher and student in a classroom filled with other students. The student could be seen refusing to take off his socks which were deemed as not acceptable according to the school’s dress code.
As a consequence of his refusal, the student was hit by the teacher with a T-square and pushed into a chair. The student was seen trying to get up and walk away from the teacher.
The student could also be heard loudly asking the teacher why he was hitting him. The teacher was heard responding, “I getting serious with you. You are wasting my time. Hey, take off the socks, Think I joking with you.”
The teacher again attempted to push the student into the chair causing him to fall to the floor. The teacher proceeded to remove the student’s shoes, and take off the socks while the student was on the floor.
