On the same day that teachers across the country wore somber colours to protest attacks on teachers, the parents of a primary school student and the student’s teacher found themselves before the Court facing criminal charges over a physical confrontation between them that took place in the classroom.
Appearing in Court this morning were St. Agnes Primary School teacher, Tiffany Hinds, the parents Soyuni Gardner and Sherwin Dalrymple and the student’s aunt, Candace Peters.
The teacher was charged with assault and breaching the peace and was released on $20,000 bail.
The mother was charged with damage to property and assault causing actual bodily harm. She was granted bail in the sum of $50,000.
The father was charged with assault and breaching the peace and was granted $20,000 bail, while the aunt was charged with damage to property and assault. She was also granted bail in the sum of $20,000.
They will all have to return to Court on the 10th February for the continuation of the cases.
The Prosecutor told the Court that a strong message must be sent to the public about the manner in which issues between parents and teachers are being addressed.
The assault incident was captured on camera during a visit to the school by the parents and aunt over an incident that occurred between their son and another child of the school, leaving that other child hospitalised.
It was a verbal confrontation that quickly escalated into a classroom brawl as the teacher was accused of not speaking to the parents in a proper manner.
The parents have come under a wave of criticism on social media over their their attack on the teacher in the classroom.
The Guyana Teachers Union and the Ministry of Education have indicated that they intend to fully back the teacher in the case since she was defending herself while at work.
Union officials and teachers, as well as other supporters, gathered outside the Courthouse today to register their concern over the assault of the teacher.
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