Some two weeks after the reported corporal punishment of ten students at Queen’s College (QC), deliberations on the matter are still underway, according to Chairman of Queen’s College’s Board of Governors, Marcel Gaskin.
Gaskin informed Stabroek News yesterday that the board is considering all aspects of the incident, with a decision anticipated later this week. “We have to do what we have to do,” Gaskin responded when questioned about the length of the investigation.
The incident in question took place on May 16, when a senior teacher at the school allegedly flogged ten students for reasons that remain undisclosed. The event has sparked significant backlash and has drawn the attention of ChildlinK, a child protection NGO.
In a public statement, ChildlinK condemned the use of flogging as a disciplinary measure, drawing attention to the fact that it has been outlawed by numerous local and international organisations. The organisation emphasized that flogging constitutes a clear violation of children’s rights.
The release also pointed out that despite the widespread recognition of its harmful effects, flogging remains a persistent practice in both homes and schools across Guyana. This normalisation of corporal punishment, the organisation argued, not only legitimises violence against children, but also undermines efforts to promote non-violent forms of discipline, conflict resolution, and behavioural correction.
Accordingly, ChildlinK advocates for the eradication of corporal punishment, asserting that such practices have no place in a modern, progressive society like Guyana, and has called on the Ministry of Education to adopt a more proactive stance in eliminating this “de-humanizing behaviour” from its policies. The agency insists that comprehensive measures are necessary to effectively protect children and promote their well-being.
