The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) is expected to conclude disciplinary proceedings within the next 10 days against two teachers accused of mistreating a student at the David Rose Special Education Needs School, according to Minister of Education Sonia Parag.
The update comes in the wake of widespread public outrage over a video showing a student with special educational needs being physically mistreated by two trained teachers at the Georgetown institution. The footage, which circulated widely on social media, sparked condemnation from parents, child-rights advocates and members of the public, who demanded accountability and stronger protections for vulnerable students.
In a statement on Friday, Parag said a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Ministry of Education has been completed and submitted to the Teaching Service Commission, the constitutional body responsible for disciplining public school teachers.
The minister said she personally visited the school on May 29, shortly after the incident became public, where she met with the affected student’s family, other parents, guardians and the Head Teacher.
“The purpose of that visit was to listen directly to the concerns of families, offer reassurance that the matter would be treated with the utmost seriousness and ensure that immediate support mechanisms were put in place for the student affected,” Parag stated.
Since then, the ministry has met with teachers, members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the PTA executive and other stakeholders as part of efforts to gather information and maintain communication throughout the investigation.
According to Parag, a file containing reports, statements, findings and recommendations has now been forwarded to the Teaching Service Commission for consideration and action.
She sought to clarify the respective roles of the Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Commission, noting that while the ministry oversees the education sector, disciplinary authority over teachers employed in non-board schools rests with the commission.
“It is important for the public to understand that while the Ministry of Education is responsible for the management and oversight of the education system, the authority to appoint, exercise disciplinary control over and remove teachers employed in non-board schools rests with the Teaching Service Commission,” she explained.
Parag cited Article 209(1) of the Constitution, which vests the power to appoint, discipline and remove teachers in the Teaching Service Commission.
“As such, the Commission is the constitutional body empowered to determine the disciplinary proceedings arising from this matter,” she said.
The minister disclosed that the commission has advised that the disciplinary process should be completed within the next 10 days.
The incident has also triggered changes to the governance structure of the David Rose Special Education Needs School, Guyana’s principal public institution serving children with special educational needs.
Parag announced that a Board of Governors has now been established for the school, with parents among those represented on the body.
The board is intended to strengthen accountability, oversight and engagement between the school and the families it serves.
“A Board of Governors has now been established for the David Rose Special Education Needs School, with representation that includes parents, to enhance accountability, supervision and engagement between the school and the families it serves,” the minister said.
She also indicated that her office is working closely with the affected family to ensure that the student receives the support necessary for recovery, continued learning and emotional well-being.
“My office is also working closely with the family to ensure that the affected student receives the support necessary for his well-being, recovery and continued learning in a safe environment,” Parag stated.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding children and condemned the conduct captured in the video.
“The treatment depicted in the video is wholly unacceptable and does not reflect the values, standards or expectations that we hold for those entrusted with the care and education of our nation’s children,” she said.
The case has intensified national discussion about the treatment of children with disabilities and special educational needs, particularly within institutions entrusted with their care and development. Child-rights advocates have long argued that children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups in society and require heightened safeguards against abuse, neglect and mistreatment.
With the ministry’s investigation completed and the matter now before the Teaching Service Commission, attention has shifted to whether disciplinary sanctions will be imposed and what additional measures will be introduced to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
