Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand today said the Education Ministry followed established protocols in responding to the reports of the alleged sexual assault of a schoolgirl by a Government Minister.  

The teenage girl is currently in the care of the Child Care and Protection Agency.

In responding to a series of questions from reporters today, Ms. Manickchand said that at no point did the Ministry of Education and or the Minister meet with the victim, although there were some plans in place to set up a meeting.

She said upon receiving screen shots of the allegations on Thursday morning, the Education Ministry immediately made contact with the school that the victim was said to be attending. Contact was also made with the victim by the Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain.  

“At that point, we didn’t know whether it was true, whether the person existed, what it said was that this was a school girl. So, immediately, when we received that without the sensation behind it, we would check to find out where this child is, if she exists, and then have the steps followed. And that is exactly, what we did. We checked to see through the school that was named whether she existed, and how it is we could support,” Minister Manickchand said.

An attorney by profession, Minister Manickchand said state officials are mandated by law to take into consideration a child’s view once he or she is over 12. Minister Manickchand said it was the intention of the Education Ministry to meet with the child at the earliest possible time, however, she indicated that she could not meet with the Ministry before Monday.

“The child said she couldn’t make it to come to see us. She gave very cogent reasons, she had exams, and she had other things that she wanted to do to come an engage anyone who could help her do anything, whether its counselling, make a report, do anything that she required. She couldn’t come until, the date she gave was Monday,” the education minister explained.

However, by Monday the matter was already engaging the attention of the State, including President Irfaan Ali, who, in responding to a request, sent the Local Government Minister on administrative leave.

Minister Manickchand said, given the recent developments, the victim no longer requires the help of her ministry.

“Subsequent to that the State and various other bodies have stepped in to help. She is no longer; I don’t believe she requires our help any longer. But nothing here was done outside of the norm. this is very normal. The alternative is this, with all that people saying we should not have made contact. So, we get a document, saying that a child needs help, what should I do with it, just don’t do anything with it, leave it, park it? And say, well it is not the Ministry of Education, this child protection. That’s not how we operate, ever,” the Minister said.

The education minister, also used the opportunity to call for responsible reporting on the matter.

Meanwhile, in an effort to respond to the needs of children, the Education Ministry has established welfare divisions at various secondary schools across the country.

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